Kamal Haasan Exclusive On His Party MNM's Prospects In Tamil Nadu Polls | India Today Conclave South

Speaking at the India Today Conclave (South) 2021 in Chennai, Kamal Haasan, founder and chief of MNM, spoke about his political ideologies. He said that the legacy of acting is beyond politics and more. Dismissing the DMK's charge that his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) was the "B team of BJP", actor-politician Kamal Haasan said that "they deserve a full night's sleep" and were deliberately making the accusation.
The Universal Hero, as Haasan is popularly referred to, asserted that his party was there to win the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections rather than being just a player or a kingmaker.

#KamalHaasan #ConclaveSouth21 #IndiaTodayConclave

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[ramesh]

Imagine your state's chief minister with such charisma, charm, wise and highly regards. It's truly a big thing for the whole state of Tamilnadu. Do make the change, vote wisely.
Mr. Kamal Haasan & MNM are the answers for Tamilnadu's recovery.

[bonron]

Legendary actor gave legendary answer... If I lose in election yeah maybe my star status may suffer but not my stature as actor.. that is done! 💯 true 👍

[mahendranr]

He is an Intelligent, Honest, Bold and Hard-working politician. What else is needed?

[SPL_Travel_Diary]

Now no Other CM candidate of Tamilnadu can Speak very Bold Like him in a Media..

[prashantmohit]

Love Kamal Hasan ❤️
Please vote for Kamal Haasan party MNM...Love from Maharashtra...👍

[raghunaathraghu]

He's a visionary in whatever he has done ...which is what TN needs right now

[JayanVarghese]

He ran out of questions to ask, kept going on like a broken record. I really wish he had come better prepared to talk to Kamal.

[aravindhanaravindan]

My vote is for Torch light of MNM Leader KAMAL, Living Bharathi, Living VOC fighting for full Freedom against multi Crores sotthu kuvippu politics in TN.

[praveen]

What a great answer to say no when he was asked to sing . Loved it

[Nancingraja]

22:50 Legendary actor gave legendary answer. He is always clear in his vision and Tamilnadu people must support him for our better future👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[SATHISHKUMAR-gjtg]

In my observation, amongst peer political parties, MNM stands tall & unique. Some of the welcome initiatives of MNM which I have observed from the party's conduct include: 


1) Public Awareness to vote and never to vote for money. This is an initiative done by MNM since its inception. The emphatic way in which Kamal & his cadres convey 'No Vote for Money' in all fora continuously is the required first step in cleansing the system. The launch of Maiam Whistle App for general public to bring to light of deficiencies in public service is an initiative in the right direction.


2. Gram Sabha, the true spirit of democracy, enshrined by 73rd Constitutional amendment though on paper since 1992, only since MNM's establishment, the power of Gram Sabha is getting realised by the rural public. The Model Gram Sabha enacted by Kamal in 2018 made a good beginning. For wider coverage of villages, MNM facilitated conduct of Gram Sabha through webinar in 2019. Even in the recent Gram Sabha, when the Govt cancelled conducting Grama Sabha citing COVID as an excuse (while Govt.run liquour outlets were in full operation) MNM's  legal route by filing a writ petition in the High Court exhibits it's genuine efforts.


3. For closure of Govt run Liquour outlets, MNM has been taking visible efforts through legal route. The recent High Court Order for closure of such outlets during COVID19 time, where MNM was an important petitioner, merits a mention here. We understand that Govts running liquor shops is dangerous. But even more dangerous is when Govt is run by Liquor shops for revenue. MNM keeps closing down of Liquour outlets as one of it's main objectives.


4. For any protest, MNM has always chosen the legal route only. MNM has a Big 'NO' to Violence, Road roko, looting public & private money, inconveniencing the common public, damage to public property, etc. Political parties choosing the legal route strengthens the legal  framework and wins public confidence in law enforcement. 


5. Women Empowerment is the fulcrum in MNM. When popular names were going rounds in 'Me Too' movement, Kamal Haasan was the proud invitee by women associations to launch 'Roudhram app' for women's safety. Similarly, the 'UNSTAIN Movement' initiated by Kamal in Oct 2019 is a welcome initiative by MNM for distribution of sanitary pads to poor girls. Targeted to eradicate Period Poverty, 'Unstain Movement' is the need of TN where School dropouts by girls due to lack of menstrual hygiene has an embarrassing high level. MNM's aspiration for 50% women participation is achievable over a period of time with key party positions like General Secretary & District Secretary positions  held by women. 


6. Reaching out during Gaja Cyclone by sending food & other essentials by MNM cadres had every visible genuineness (I remember Kamal visited the affected sites more than once). During the recent Nivar Cyclone also, the entire MNM cadre were on the streets reaching out to the needy. 


7. Centrism Ideology of MNM is all about choosing the best of both the worlds with people in the pivot. Extremes of Left & Right stick on to their ideologies even at the cost of people's welfare. 


8. MNM's awareness campaign on cleanliness started well before COVID19.  Domex Advt by a celebrity of Kamal's stature cannot be just viewed as a commercial Advt for personal earning of the star. 


9. When the clueless COVID-19 struck, the first requirement was to fan out mass awareness on Hand & Mouth Etiquettes at the earliest. Kamal's awareness messages in TV & social media expedited the reach. Kamal's celebrity attraction comes with the price tag.  He could not visit the affected people, as is being done by his fellow politicians of rival parties as his visit would draw a huge gathering exposing viral spread vulnerability.


10. When there was a mass exodus of migrant workforce from Chennai, to help Chennai's revival, MNM came out with the movement 'நாமே தீர்வு' for bridging the contributories and the needy. 


11. Dignity in Politics, something which is not heard in the past few decades, is beginning to happen with MNM. Expression of views of differences without poaching into the privacy of the individual is an appreciable aspect of MNM.


12. (I) During COVID19 times MNM has been conducting weekly programmes through 'Maiam Talks', a webinar session with Learned personalities. (ii) MNM's online skill development courses & Online English speaking classes continues even during COVID19.


13. Concentration of Power to one or two in a party is a big threat to intra-party democracy and paves way to Kingdom & Lordships. TN has been the victim due to this malady for long. Holding party chieftain position till the last breath of the leader exposes the State to severe handicap when the party is in power. The state of confusion in TN after the death of the former CM is a case in point. MNM's policy of  distribution of power is visible with six General Secretaries on board.


14. The seeding of the 'Joy of Giving to the Unconnected' is something which KH can take credit for having taught to his members through his own demonstration of Blood & Organ Donation for the past three decades. KH's initiatives in Organ donation could have  contributed for TN's continuing to top in the Nation for the sixth time in a row. This helps a lot in channelising the human energy for people's welfare. 


15. KH is known for always maintaining clean chit from Income Tax dept. This may not be a big thing for salaried class like us. But, KH's sole source of income from cine industry where Tax violations are more a norm than exception. The point is that he's a habituated law-abiding & law-respecting citizen. Honesty, the biggest source of energy for KH & MNM is derived from this law-abiding habit.

16. MNM is the only Political Party which is fully on digital using the hacking-proof Blockchain Technology.

Let's be the 'Torch-bearer' of change!

[malinitalks]

Totally inspired.. this man definitely deserves a greater percentage of voting.. all the very best aandavar.. #voteforMNM

[velavarpounraja]

Honesty + Talent + Centrism + Determination to take down big parties.... Kamal+ MNM+people wins this time

[vasanthk]

I haven't find any other Tamil Nadu C.M candidate for 2021 who speaking this much knowledge. Let's we try with him for comming election!!

[mcemahesh]

Best of all eligible CM candidates in Tamilnadu for 2021

[kanthasamykajan]

Kamal Sir better than others so think and vote

[sundarvaratharajan]

Mr kamal.is honest leader, we love Kamal, pls change Tamil Nadu give chance mnm🙏🙏

[Modi]

Kamal is a man of values. Hope he does well in this election. All the best

[avanyeesh]

what a confident man, he is so knowledgable

[vinaay]

what a English true tamil who is speaking such a phenomenal English proud to be Tamilan 🙏🙏🙏🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦🔦my vote only for you love you 🙏🙏🙏❤