Insisting that he and co-star Rajinikanth wanted to change everything in Tamil Nadu, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan on Tuesday reiterated that the two could come together for the welfare of the State.
Asked about the possibility of MNM tying up with Rajinikanth’s proposed party, Mr. Haasan said: “Both of us are a phone call away. Both of us want to change everything here in Tamil Nadu. If our policies are acceptable to each other, we, without any ego, will join hands for the welfare of Tamil Nadu.”
On the party being denied the ‘battery torch’ symbol for the Assembly election, he said the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is supposed to help parties, should act as per the law.
He told journalists in Kovilpatti that the real question was who was behind MNM being denied the symbol on which it contested last year’s Lok Sabha polls. “We believe and wish that everything should happen as per law,” he said.
On the selection of candidates for the election, he said MNM’s contestants would be educationally qualified and determined to serve the people, under all circumstances.
Earlier in Sivakasi, he said Tamils would never compromise on their unique identity and self respect, and Tamil Nadu would not play second fiddle to anyone, but would choose a path different from other States.
“Tamil Nadu will give a fitting reply to those who try to smash the pluralistic fabric of India in the name of caste and community,” he said without referring to any party.
Addressing entrepreneurs of the fireworks town, as part of his early election campaign, he said, “Tamils have a unique identity and self respect. Tamil Nadu will give a unique verdict. Even as all [States] across the country are playing second fiddle, Tamil Nadu will continue to chart its path.”
Mr. Haasan recalled the recent appeal to the people, against the bursting of crackers during Deepavali to fight pollution in New Delhi. “The national capital has become a place unworthy to live in, so much so that a leader [Sonia Gandhi] had to leave Delhi for Goa [due to pollution]. Those who cannot keep even the national capital clean are making tall claims,” he said.
Reiterating that the founder of AIADMK, M.G. Ramachandran, did not belong to any particular party, he said the former Chief Minister remained Makkal Thilagam (people’s leader), and not the leader of any particular party. “While many Ministers in the present cabinet have not even seen MGR’s face, I have sat on his lap,” Mr. Haasan said.
He deplored that Tamil Nadu cannot take pride in being numero uno among States like Bihar or among the most corrupt States. “Our attempt should be to take Tamil Nadu to the top spot in the globe,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Dravidian parties, Mr. Haasan said they had failed to clean the Cooum river in Chennai. “Since my childhood, they have been promising to clean the Cooum. But it has got more polluted over the years,” he said.