CHENNAI: As actor Kamal Haasan emerges as a popular rallying point against AIADMK government perceived to be unpopular, the DMK is planning to invite him along with actor Rajinikanth for the platinum jubilee function of party organ Murasoli.
In a bid to pacify regional allies who were not given importance in the 94th birthday of party president M. Karunanidhi, the party is likely to invite local leaders for the event, besides writers, poets and popular personalities in other spheres for the function to be held on August 10 and 11. It is not known if Rajinikanth would take part in the function or opt to attend it as an onlooker.
For the DMK, giving prominence to Kamal Haasan could take away the focus of Rajinkanth’s possible political entry or stop the superstar from entering politics altogether. The DMK and its supporters see Rajnikanth’s entry as a setback to it, considering his ideological orientation which goes along with the BJP.
A section of the vernacular media has already published surveys that Rajinikanth in alliance with former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s AIADMK (PTA) and BJP could defeat the DMK in an election. Even though, Kamal Haasan’s attack is on the AIADMK government, the BJP leaders in the state have began lashing out at Kamal, showing the unease in the saffron camp over Kamal’s impact on their future plans for Tamil Nadu.
Answering a question if the DMK would invite Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for the Murasoli function, party working president M.K. Stalin refrained from denying such plans. But, he said after a decision about the participants in the event is known, invitation would be given to the media and then it could know about it.
To another query, Stalin strongly defended Kamal Haasan and said the ‘horse trading government’ is not able to take on criticisms. The ‘corrupt government’ had no locus standi to criticise Kamal Haasan, he added.
Oppn to form human chain on July 27 for Neet
The DMK has also decided to conduct a human chain protest on July 27 demanding exemption from Neet for Tamil Nadu through approval by the President for the state’s two bills for Neet exemption.
A resolution was passed at the party’s district secretaries meeting on Thursday. The DMK also demanded cancellation of Goondas Act on environmental activist professor Jayaraman, college student Valarmathi and May 17 leader Thirumurugan Gandhi who had protested democratically for state’s rights.
They should be released immediately without any condition, the DMK said in another resolution. The party also demanded formation of Cauvery Management Board and waiver of loans for farmers.
