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Kamal Haasan will begin his political innings today

The 63-year-old actor, who captivated millions for five decades through his brilliant, versatile acting skills, will have a long Wednesday.

CHENNAI: In the hope of heralding a new chapter in Tamil Nadu politics hegemonised by DMK and AIADMK for half a century, film icon Kamal Haasan will set in motion his political innings on Wednesday from the historic temple town of Madurai by announcing the name of his political party and hoist its flag. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the RTI activist who captured the imagination of the nation during the Anna Hazare movement, will be on Kamal’s side at the public meeting in Othakadai in the heart of Madurai to “wish him luck” on his political journey, while his “intellectual friend” and Kerala Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan will join the launch through video conferencing.

The 63-year-old actor, who captivated millions for five decades through his brilliant and versatile acting skills, will have a long Wednesday — beginning his journey from the residence of APJ Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram and addressing public meetings at Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi, his birth place, and Manamadurai before reaching Madurai for the “mega launch.”

“Our long journey will begin tomorrow. I will hoist the flag of our new political party at 6 pm at Madurai Othakadai at the venue of the mega rally. I will also announce the name of the political party and explain its ideology. Come, let’s script a new chapter,” Kamal wrote on his Twitter page before he flew to Madurai on Tuesday morning. Kamal’s political journey is being keenly watched across India as many see his “timing” as perfect launch pad for a career in politics given the “political void” in Tamil Nadu due to indisposition of DMK chief M Karunanidhi and death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

What started as criticism in 140 characters — that was the limit first allowed on Twitter — in late July last year against the “corrupt” AIADMK Government may culminate in a full-blown attack against those who have ruled Tamil Nadu for five decades since 1967 on Wednesday. The outspoken actor, who loves to call spade a spade and does not mince words, calls himself “polity culturist” who wants to redeem Tamil Nadu's image that had been sullied in the past. Though there is no clarity on what his policies and programmes would be, Kamal has clarified that his colour would certainly not be “saffron”.

A proponent of Dravidianism, which he says will exist as long as National Anthem of India existed, Kamal has given all indications that Tamil, Tamil Nadu and Dravidian culture will be the “core ideology” of his political journey. He has also set a precedent for a new and healthy political culture by meeting all major leaders of the state — barring those from the ruling AIADMK — and his friend Rajinikanth, who will also soon don the hat of a politician, before embarking on his journey.

As a precursor to his formal launch, Kamal has been giving a sneak preview of his policies in which he had laid emphasis on reimagining villages calling them the backbone of the country. The actor will also adopt one village in every district and make it “model village” by infusing development laced with technology and showcasing them as the best in the country. Madurai was the first stop for DMDK founder Vijayakant as well in his political innings as he launched the party from the temple town in 2005.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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