Makkal Needhi Maiam an alternative to AIADMK, DMK, says Kamal Haasan

If Edappadi Palaniswami and Stalin were the only choices, I need not have entered politics in the first place, he said

With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections fast approaching, Kamal Haasan-founded Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is ramping up its campaigns with the aim of defeating traditional Dravidian parties AIADMK and DMK. Kamal Haasan has in many instances mentioned that his centrist party wants to be an alternative to these parties that have for long, exchanged power from term to term ruling the southern state.

In an interview with The Times of India, Haasan said that his party was in it for the long haul. He said that in the family he has challenged the status quo and that's something even greats like Sivaji Ganesan and M G Ramachandran couldn't.

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"I’ve challenged formulas and I’ve won. It wasn’t easy. These changes in politics have to happen in the rural areas, but you and your big names are contesting in cities. There was a suggestion that I contest from Mylapore, but I decided against it because it may be linked to my caste. I don't consider caste for a candidate. I chose Coimbatore because it has been a playground of religious disharmony. And some of the top corrupt minister' area - including the chief minister's - is in that region. Also, the BJP is contesting there," he said, adding that as of now his prospects for the Coimbatore South constituency are good and from what he hears from the ground, it will be better.

When asked which party he would support to form a government in case of a hung Assembly, he said that if he had to choose from two evils, he will push for another election, adding that if Edappadi Palaniswami and Stalin were the only choices, he need not have entered politics in the first place.

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In a bid to offer his party as the top alternative against the Dravidian parties, Haasan said that contestants from his party have no criminal background, have done social service and the manifesto comes from their qualities, not their money. He also said that his contestants including him are different because they are affluent but not affluent enough to run the party.

In addition, Haasan also said, "I charge a bomb (for acting) and that helps. I am investing all that. That's not enough but it's an investment in people. It's a return gratuity for what I've received all these years."