Is Kamal Hassan following LDF's Kerala model?

Actor turned politician Kamal Hassan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam has organized a mega-conference in Chennai on Sunday to celebrate the third anniversary of the party. In the daylong meeting, Kamal will also receive applications from party men requesting him to nominate them to contest in the forthcoming Assembly Poll. While Dravidian majors – AIADMK and DMK, largely relied on corporate psephologists Kamal Hassan depends on Kerala model. Will this work in favour of the party to corner a large chunk of votes in the poll? Or will the party win many seats and succeed in becoming the third major party in Tamil Nadu after the election?

Chennai (Tamil Nadu):While the ruling AIADMK had roped in poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu, the DMK depends on Prashant Kishor’s Indian Political Action Committee for 2021 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Versatile actor Kamal Hassan seems to have adopted a model being followed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Left Democratic Front government in Kerala. Moved by the success of LDF in Kerala, Kamal meets Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Vijayan and gets inputs from him often.

The actor, who used to adopt scripts from a number of Hollywood, Bollywood and other films to make many of his Tamil films during the 60-year long film career, looked towards Kerela for making a mark in Tamil Nadu politics this year.

The blockbuster 2015 Papanasam thriller film was a remake of his 2013 Malayalam film Drishyam. Kamal adorned the role as a Suyambu, a middle-class cable TV operator in the film. In real life, Kamal has adopted a model followed by Pinarayi Vijayan. The LDF registered a thumping victory in the local body poll held in Kerala in December last year. Among others, the LDF adopted a policy of roping in noted public servants, experts in various fields and influential personalities.

Kamal, known for acting in numerous roles in films, has followed the LDF policy and invited IAS, IPS, Scientists and others who have worked for the welfare of the people.

Already retired IPS officer AG Maurya and others were given berths in the party. Recently IAS officer Dr Santhosh Kumar joined the party after taking VRS. Of late, the party has approached IAS officer Sagayam, who had taken VRS and Ponraj too, a personal assistant of former President and missile man, late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

State Secretary Makkal Needhi Maiam Murali Appas says Kamal plunged into politics to make a mark and bring a difference in politics. Currently, Tamil Nadu follows dual politics, which is wrong. Only two parties keep coming back to power after throwing the other. He is following a new model. If this new model succeeds other parties may also follow the suit in future.

MNM received a vote share was 0.26% in the 40 seats contested in 2019 Lok Sabha election. For the first time the party, which was formed in 2018, is facing General Assembly poll in the State. The party is all set to show their strength and leaving no stones unturned.

On Saturday, Kamal met superstar Rajnikanth, who retired from politics before entering it. He seems to have sought the help of Rajnikanth to face the poll.

Kamal reportedly spoke with anti-corruption activists of Arappor Iyakkam and an environmental watch group Poovulagin Nanbaral. He also held talks with influential and famous personalities in local areas. The idea is to win as many seats as possible.

According to sources the party has decided to field Sagayam and Ponraj in the poll. The party men are waiting for a big announcement from Kamal on Sunday.

Read: Kamal Haasan meets Rajinikanth in Chennai