Minister Jayakumar takes a dig at Kamal Haasan

Says actor’s bid to crowd-source funds is unprecedented

D. Jayakum

Taking a dig at actor Kamal Haasan for taking the crowd-funding route for launching his political party, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said on Tuesday that the actor was probably the only person in the world to attempt raising ₹30 crore from his supporters for his political entry.

“MGR started the party having faith in the people. Amma [Jayalalithaa] too followed and created history. No leader got money from people. But, he [Kamal] says he would collect ₹30 crore from cadre. I don’t understand the calculations behind ₹30 crore. He is the only man across the world to seek ₹30 crore to start a political party... If he points out any defect in the administration, Amma’s government is willing to rectify it, no matter what,” he told reporters in response to a query.

Popular recognition

Even as he wished Mr. Kamal Haasan on his birthday, Mr. Jayakumar added: “As I said earlier, anyone can start a political party. But, it is the people who can give a party recognition. In a democracy, who are the masters? It is the people. Then, now and forever, people are with Amma , Puratchi Thalaivar [MGR] and the two leaves [AIADMK’s frozen election symbol].”

Detailing the efforts taken by the State government to counter the onslaught of the monsoon, he said that once the rains stopped, the water would drain by itself.

Asked if the government had taken preventive steps, he said the government was prepared and the lessons learnt during the 2015 floods would be taken for preparing for the future.

He said work on dredging the Kosasthalaiyar channel at an estimated cost of ₹1,500 crore and other projects on the outskirts of the city at a cost of ₹3,000 crore were under way.