MADURAI: Actor Kamal Haasan will begin his political journey at Rameswaram, on Wednesday. In the evening, he is expected to announce the name of his political party, launch the flag and declare the agenda at a public meeting to be held at Othakadai, Madurai.
After the demise of the AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, actor Kamal Haasan continuously criticised the present government’s activities through interviews and the powerful social media. In response, AIADMK office bearers and other political leaders criticised him.
On January 18, Kamal announced that he would launch his own political party on February 21. He then said that his party would have a Dravidian appeal and that he would be starting his political journey at the birthplace of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, at Rameswaram. Kamal describes his political journey as a journey of discovery, a journey to understand people’s needs and aspirations.
In the meantime, after his political announcement, he met DMK General Secretary M Karunanidhi and DMDK President Vijayakanth. He also made it clear that he was against the AIADMK and the BJP.
Many actors have turned full-time politicians in Tamil Nadu. A few of them succeeded, converting their fanbase into vote banks; a few have also failed. Actor Kamal Haasan is the latest to join the race. His stand, ideologies, opinions and many things about him are unpredictable. However, the answers are expected to be announced on Wednesday evening, when he makes the jump at the public meeting in Othakadai.
The preparation for the launch of Kamal’s political journey was in full swing in Madurai, on Tuesday. Welcoming their hero in a new dimension, his fans put up posters in the city with slogans such as Varungala muthalvare varuga, Nammavare, and Alavanthare. A majority of the fans expect his party symbol to be a globe since there is a slogan that reads, Ulaganayaganin vetri chinnam ulaga urundai.
On Tuesday, Kamal Haasan came to Madurai airport on his way to Rameswaram. He was welcomed by his fans with Tharai Thappattai music. When asked why he had chosen Madurai for the debut, Kamal said, “Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir (Every place is my hometown and everybody is my family).”
On Wednesday, at 7.45 am, Kamal will visit APJ Abdul Kalam’s house and from there proceed to Kalam’s primary school at 8.15 am. At 8.50 am he is meeting the members of a fishermen’s association at Ganesh Mahal. At 11.10 am, he will pay a visit to Kalam’s memorial and address a public meeting at Ramanathapuram. At 2.30 pm he will address a public meeting at Five Point Road, near Lena Mahal. At 3 pm he is scheduled to address a public meeting near Sripriya Theatre, at Manamadurai.
The 6 pm meeting at the Othakadai ground, will be the most important one. Kamal’s fans are eagerly getting the place ready for the big event. One of them said, “We are doing our best for our leader’s debut. Nearly 5000 fans from all over Tamil Nadu are expected here.”
Kamal has invited Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerji to be present at the Othakadai public meeting. Aravind Kejriwal will be participating in the function, sources said.
Party propaganda songs to be introduced
“During the public meeting, Kamal’s party propaganda songs are going to be introduced. A campaign van called Nammavar will also be launched during the programme. It will go all over Tamil Nadu to talk about our party,” said a fan. Another said, “At such important events, the backdrop is very important. Our leader has already announced that he is going to follow the Dravidian principles hence, we are expecting the pictures of Anna, Periyar and other Dravidian leaders to be present in the back drop.
Naam Tamilar Katchi leader calls on Kamal
Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman on Tuesday called on actor Kamal Haasan, a day ahead of the latter launching his political party. He said Kamal wanted to meet him and out of respect for Kamal, he himself came to meet the veteran actor. Answering a query, Kamal said he would not meet any AIADMK leader since he was opposed to the present regime. “Kamal is trying to usher in an alternative political culture in the State. I have been on that path for quite some time. So, I thought it is my duty to greet him,” he said.