Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan on Sunday kicked off his party’s campaign for the 2021 Assembly election in Madurai, with the promise of providing a people-centric and honest government.
“Not just our governance, our election strategy too will be honesty,” he said.
Mr. Haasan, who arrived to a rousing reception by fans and party cadre, said if politicians’ black money is pumped back into the economy, it could make Tamil Nadu a better place.
Hinting at parties bribing voters, he said party cadre should make door-to-door visits to “wake people up to new political changes”.
He said: “Tell them that they deserve not just the ₹5,000 [per vote], but also welfare benefits worth ₹5 lakh [from the government],” he said.
Complaining that Madurai was filled with potholes, garbage and sewage, he said the city, with its proud history and culture, looked rotten these days. “Madurai should be changed,” he said. It has witnessed revolutions, and now it must get ready for another one, he said.
Claiming that former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran had planned to make Madurai the second capital of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Haasan said his party would turn that dream into reality.
Stating that he hailed from south Tamil Nadu, Mr. Haasan said he too wanted to live an ordinary life, helping others. “But did they leave us to do it? That is why I had to take a political plunge. I took this decision long back, but took some time to prepare for it,” he said. Over the years, politicians had made it seem like politics is meant for “rowdies”, but now educated people and professionals were showing interest in politics, entering the party, he said.
In an interaction with youngsters, he said the government should not be into the liquor business, but concentrate on essential services like education, water supply and health.
However, IMFL business, through private entities, should continue, he said. “Otherwise, it will give way for illegal arrack,” he said.
Third front
Earlier, interacting with journalists, he hinted at the possibility of political re-alignment, saying there could be splits and re-alignments in alliances. When asked whether his party would form a third front, he said this was very much possible.
He complained that permissions for certain programmes in the city were being rejected, last minute.
Stating that such hurdles would not stop him, he said his party had seen such impediments in the past, and it had the experience to overcome them. He exuded confidence that he would be able to reach out to the people, without violating rules.
He is scheduled to tour the southern districts in the next few days.
