Ready for TN bypolls, announces Kamal Haasan on 64th birthday

November 07, 2018 18:11

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, on his 64th birthday today, said his Makkal Needhi Maiam party is ready to contest by-elections on 20 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, whenever they are held.

"Nobody knows whether the by-elections will be held. But we are ready to contest whenever they take place," Kamal Haasan told reporters in Chennai.

"I am not the one who believes in making promises. I am seeking suggestions from people," he added.

Last month, the Madras high court upheld the disqualification of 18 AIADMK legislators, loyal to AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, and cleared the decks for by-elections. Apart from these 18, the Tiruvarur seat represented by DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and Tiruparankundram seat, represented by AIADMK's AK Bose, have been vacant since their deaths earlier this year.

The by-elections - the schedule for which is yet to be announced by the Election Commission - are seen as an test for the E Palaniswami-led AIADMK government. The outcome will have a bearing on its survival.

Kamal Haasan had launched Makkal Needhi Maiam -- which translates to "People's Justice Centre" -- in February. The actor-politician has been sharply critical of the AIADMK government for some time, has had frequent run-ins with state ministers on the issue of corruption and came out strongly against the government for its handling of the anti-Sterlite protests.

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