The actor-turned-politician said that his party will forge alliances with like-minded parties who have development of Tamil Nadu on their minds.
(Photo: Twitter/@maiamofficial)
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan will contest the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The 64-year-old actor-turned-politician announced his decision at a press conference in Chennai on Saturday.
Haasan, who took the political plunge last year and formed his party in February this year, said, “I will definitely contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.”
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Addressing media persons after the conclusion of a meeting of MNM’s executive and general councils, Haasan added that his party has authorised him to forge alliances with other parties for the elections.
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“It has been decided to form an alliance to contest on all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,” he said.
Asserting that his party will join hands with like-mined parties, Haasan said that he won’t have as an ally anyone who wants to “change Tamil Nadu’s DNA”.
It is still unclear which political parties will MNM align with to contest the general elections.
Haasan had in October said that he is ready for an alliance with the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 if it severs its ties with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
“If DMK-Congress alliance breaks, I would be ready to join hands with Congress in the 2019 elections. I need to have a word with Congress to make sure our alliance would benefit the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Read More: Kamal Haasan says MNM will join hands with Congress if this condition is met
On contesting bypolls to 20 assembly constituencies, Haasan said that his party will wait till formal announcements are made.
On 8 November, his 64th birthday, Haasan had said that MNM is ready to face the bypolls.
“At this point of time, we can say bypolls may be conducted. I do not know whether it will be held definitely. Suppose, if it is conducted, Makkal Needhi Maiam is ready to face it,” he said.
Bypolls are due in the 20 constituencies, which have fallen vacant following the Madras High Court upholding the disqualification of the 18 AIADMK MLAs who back Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran and in view of the demise of two sitting members, including DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.
Ever since forming his party, Haasan has been touring Tamil Nadu to understand the sentiments of the people and connect with them.
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