Tamil Nadu: Kamal Haasan to contest from Coimbatore South, to take on BJP and Congress
The actor-turned-politician had announced earlier this week that MNM will contest on 154 out of 234 assembly seats.
FollowChennai: Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan will contest Tamil Nadu Elections 2021 from Coimbatore South assembly constituency.
This means the actor-politician will be taking on a BJP and Congress candidate. It is speculated that BJP will field national president of the party's women's wing Vanathi Srinivasan.
"The parties have committed to the common goal of transforming Tamil Nadu by fulfilling the long-pending aspirations of the people. With the common agenda of restoring the pride and glory of Tamil Nadu, they have decided to embark on a long-lasting journey together," a document released by MNM read.
The party, which is facing the elections with allies, actor R Sarath Kumar-headed All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) and India Jananayaka Katchi (IJK) of Lok Sabha MP Paarivendhar, has announced it will test its fortunes from 154 of the 234 seats, leaving the rest to its two partners.
Confirming an electoral alliance with the MNM, AISMK's Sarath Kumar had earlier said that Kamal Haasan will be its chief ministerial candidate.
“Coimbatore is a place close to my heart. ‘Kongu sezhithaal, engum sezhikum’ (If Kongu region flourishes, everywhere else would flourish too) is a proverb. It is sad that it has become a corrupt capital now. I plan on changing that. My voice will ring like the sound of conch from Coimbatore in the Assembly. It is in people’s hand for that to happen,” Kamal was quoted by The News Minute.
Kamal also shared that it was his father’s wish for him to become a leader one day. “I’m reminded of my father at this moment. He was inspired by Gandhi to enter politics. We did not understand it back then. He has been my guru for oratorical skills. He would train me from a very young age. My family members were quite apprehensive and he would say it was for me to become a leader one day. My brother Chandrahasan was the one who stood between me, politics and my education. His wish was for me to become an IAS first and then enter politics. Although I could not fulfill one part of it, I have many IAS officers in my party,” he said.
The MNM had secured about 4% votes in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, with its share going as high as 10% in the urban pockets.
The 234-members Tamil Nadu assembly polls will be held in a single phase on 6 April and the counting of votes will be done on 2 May.
