MADURAI: When Kamal Haasan released an app called Maiam Whistle a few months ago, it was clear Maiam meant a lot to him. It’s now figured in the name of the party he unveiled here on Wednesday: Makkal Needhi Maiam.
Kamal made the announcement moments after unfurling the party flag that symbolises the strength of unity.
The zest with which he began his journey in the morning from Rameswaram and veered through Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi and Manamadurai came through in his voice, when he said, “I am not your leader, I am your tool. This gathering is full of leaders.”
The veteran actor dedicated the party to the people. He said amidst thunderous applause: “This is a party made for you, it’s for the people.” Trying to strike a chord with the masses, Haasan spoke of the strength of a united party. “It’s not a one-day event. This is going to become a way of life for us, let us remember that.”
“I am not a leader to give advice. I am a worker to listen to your advice,” he said adding the people have a big responsibility to fulfill.
Haasan started his state-wide, phased political tour, Naalai Namadhey, with a visit to former President A P J Abdul Kalam’s residence in Rameswaram. He interacted with Kalam’s relatives and sought the blessings of Kalam’s 101-year-old elder brother, Mohammed Muthumeera Lebbai Maraikkayar. “Kalam is an important person for me...I was attracted by his patriotism and aspirations. There is no politics in the visit to his house,” he said.
However, the actor could not visit the former President’s school as Ramanathapuram district administrations denied permission terming it a political event.
Besides Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal, AAP leader Somnath Bharti and farmers’ leader P R Pandian were on the dais for the launch.
Honest party, claims Kejriwal
■ Kejriwal described Haasan as a real-life hero who is honest and has a vision for providing a political alternative. “Now you can vote for an honest party; for Kamal Haasan”
■ Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan expressed confidence Kamal’s party would uphold secularism, democracy and pluralistic society
1960
When Kamal made his film debut with Kalathur Kannamma
Dravidian symbolism
The flag, with a white background, has six hands joining together — three red and three white. At the centre is a white star over a black background. Black and white are politically significant in TN and form a part of the flags of the state’s two big parties — AIADMK and DMK. The shades are also seen as a pointer to Dravidian ideology