Kamal’s MNM launches unit in Puducherry

Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) spread its wings to neighbouring Puducherry on Wednesday, even as the actor-politician finds it difficult to navigate through the rough and tumble of politics in Tamil Nadu.

MNM, as it is known as, was launched by Kamal on February 21 last year with much fanfare from the temple town of Madurai considered lucky for newbies in politics, though the actor calls himself a rationalist who believes in Dravidian ideology.

In the past one year, Kamal and his party have not been able to make much headway in breaking the hegemony of the DMK and the AIADMK in politics, though he has been working on the ground— the actor was with the people during the Gaja Cyclone and when 13 people were killed in police firing during the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Puducherry unit, Kamal announced that MNM would contest the Assembly elections in the Union Territory due in May 2021.

The actor, while answering questions on his party’s stand on Lok Sabha polls, said that he would decide on the alliance questions in due course and indicated that MNM would face the people during the general elections.

The actor also did not give a direct reply on whether his party would align with some other outfit or contest the polls alone.

To a question, Kamal said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s idea of minimum income for the poor was a “worthwhile dream” but difficult to implement.

"It is a great dream, nice dream. I would not say it is epiphany. But is a nice worthwhile dream. We'll pursue it. But to enact and actually bring it into force is very difficult. I hope he (Rahul) succeeds," Kamal said.

"Welcome sister," was all Kamal said when sought his opinion on Priyanka Gandhi taking the plunge in politics.