Kollywood’s ‘universal hero’ Kamal Haasan is set to sow the seed for his political party at a public meeting at Y. Othakadai in Madurai on Wednesday evening with the catchy slogan ‘ Naalai Namadhe ’ (Tomorrow is ours — borrowed from a popular MGR film title).
Thousands of his fans and VIPs, including Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party founder Arvind Kejriwal, will listen to Nammavar (a moniker that means ‘our man’ given to the actor), as he enunciates the ideology of his party and watch him unfurl its flag. He arrived at the Madurai airport to a rousing reception on Tuesday.
Ahead of his arrival, in a letter written to his party workers, DMK leader M.K. Stalin compared his party to a banyan tree that could not be shaken. Mr. Stalin said parties that crop up during a season were akin to “paper flowers, which don’t have any fragrance” and would wither soon. Asked to react, Mr. Haasan said he did not think the Leader of the Opposition meant to target him. “Nevertheless, I am not a flower, but a seed,” he said.
On Wednesday morning, the actor would undertake a road show that would begin from the house of late President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Ramanathapuram district and end at Y. Othakadai. Meanwhile, former Inspector General of Police A. G. Mourya joined the actor's party.
Earlier in Chennai, Naam Tamilar Katchi founder Seeman, met Mr. Haasan at the latter’s office.
Mr. Seeman, who is highly critical of Mr. Rajinikanth’s proposed foray into politics, often identifying him as a non-Tamil, told journalists that he had been a big fan of Mr. Kamal Haasan since his younger days. He added that Mr. Haasan’s family had been helping people fight court cases in Paramakudi.
Asked if there was a possibility that they could get together electorally, Mr. Kamal Haasan said that this could be considered only after he formally announced his party’s ideology.
“Only after that Mr. Seeman can make his decision. I am meeting political party leaders in an attempt to reclaim the lost tradition... He is here to wish me well for my political journey,” he said.
Mr. Haasan added that he would not meet leaders from the AIADMK. “I have been saying that they are unfit to govern the State,” he said.
The actor added that there should be a greater participation of people in politics.
“It is my wish that everyone must get involved in politics. It cannot be left to those who are already doing it,” said Mr. Haasan.
