Ending speculation over the possibility of an alliance, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan said on the one-year anniversary of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) that his party will fight solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
While admitting that the party will go solo, he added:
“Not saying I am standing alone for these elections. We are standing together.”Kamal Haasan, President, Makkal Needhi Maiam
Members of Makkal Needhi Maiam celebrated in Chennai on Thursday, 21 February, with party President Kamal Haasan hoisting the MNM flag and addressing members.
While this week has seen major political parties seal alliances with top national parties, Haasan has opted to be a lone wolf.
On Tuesday, 19 February, AIADMK signed an alliance with the PMK and agreed on a seat-sharing agreement with BJP. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday, “BJP will contest 5 seats (from the state) in Lok Sabha elections and we will be contesting together in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.”
“We (BJP) will support AIADMK in the by-elections on 21 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. We have agreed to contest elections under the leadership of OPS and EPS in the state and under Modi ji at the Centre,” he added.
A day after this announcement, DMK President MK Stalin confirmed the party’s alliance with the Congress.
Meanwhile, fellow actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth had said in a statement on 17 February that his party Rajini Makkal Mandram won’t contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Hours later, Haasan had criticised Rajinikanth, saying: “As I have entered politics, I cannot avoid elections. It may be either a Lok Sabha or a state Assembly election. As a political party, we should face elections. If we say that we will see in the next elections, then people will not respect.”
Haasan, who has previously attacked AIADMK and BJP over governance, had earlier hinted at talks about an alliance.
The MNM chief has been campaigning in various districts and has spoken up about issues such as Tuticorin Sterlite protests, Gaja cyclone relief, etc.
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