Kamal Haasan is scheduled to go on a state-wide tour with the launch of his political party at Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram on Wednesday.
As per media reports, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to attend Haasan’s Madurai rally. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar are also reportedly invited although their participation has not been confirmed.
The tour will be held in phases. Haasan will begin the journey from Ramanathapuram — his hometown — and later visit people from the districts of Madurai, Dindigul and Sivagangai.
It will mark Haasan’s official entry into politics about which he has been making overtures since last year.
Earlier, the 63-year-old actor had said, “At the commencement of the journey, I intend to announce the name of my political party along with the guiding principles we intend to live by.”
The veteran actor said he intends to challenge the status quo “that has been plaguing the politics of Tamil Nadu for some time now”, while adding that through the state-wide tour, he wants to familiarise himself with the people’s concerns.
While announcing his state-wide tour, Haasan had said rally was “neither an act of rebellion nor a gathering for glamour”.
“This is a journey of discovery and learning and an opportunity for me to truly understand my people,” said Haasan.
He exhorted the people of Tamil Nadu to “question mediocrity” and “raise the bar” of governance and welfare in the state.
‘Courtesy calls’
On Sunday, Hassan met Rajinikanth at the latter’s residence at Poes Garden in Chennai.
The meeting had generated a fresh wave of speculations around a possible alliance between the two. But Haasan, who is addressed by his fans as ‘Ulaganayagan’ (Hero of the world), told reporters that there was no “political angle” to the meeting.
“It was just a courtesy call, a part of friendship” said Haasan after emerging outside Rajinikanth’s residence following the meeting.
“I met him and apprised him of my political tour. I am meeting people I like before I begin my journey,” the 63-year-old Haasan told reporters. According to reports, Haasan invited Rajinikanth for the launch of the latter’s political party in Madurai.
Kamal Haasan had also visited DMK supremo M Karunanidhi. He later described their meeting as meeting of friends and unrelated to politics.
(With agency inputs)