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Kamal Haasan's Political Timeline : A look into his journey in politics so far

PUBLISHED DATE : 20/Feb/2018

Kamal Haasan's Political Timeline : A look into his journey in politics so far

Kamal Haasan's Political Timeline : A look into his journey in politics so far

 

As Kamal Haasan gears up to announce his Party's name tomorrow, we take a look at his political timeline inclusive of where it all started, how his stands have taken turns, the actor's high-profile media-covered meetings and announcements, establishments of his political platform so far.

 

February, 2017 : The usually politics-shy Kamal Haasan became more than vocal post the demise of former CM of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalitha. From Jallikattu issues in January to speaking against the power struggle between Sasikala and O. Paneer Selvam later, Kamal Haasan spared no words and kept sending out one cryptic tweet after another indicative of his political willingness. The actor's first open statement on the topic came through an interview to India Today, where he stated "..Tamil Nadu has not had the best of service from politicians for more than 60 years. The first 10 years were glorious, but Congress..Kamraj-ji, Raja-ji.. they all became complacent. Then came Dravidian parties. Those promises were also not kept,”

 

May 27, 2017: Even as the actor continued with his tweet-barrage against AIADMK and just when his actor-political counterpart Rajinikanth had given yet another hint at a political entry (link), Kamal Haasan at a promotional even of his then upcoming show Bigg Boss sent media into a fix by infamously stating, “Given the current political scenario in Tamil Nadu, I would say no one should enter politics. Why singling actors? Any rational person will not do that.” However when prompted for a clear answer on his rumoured political entry, the actor had added,“I will tell you when the elections are around the corner.”

 

July 18, 2017: Amidst the attention (both positive and negative) his show Bigg Boss was receiving, Kamal Haasan sent out a poetic tweet which once again hinted at his possible political entry. The poem when translated has these lines : "...If I decide, I am Chief Minister..Come with me friend, one who attempts to avoid fanaticism/superstition is a leader,"

 

 

Late July, 2017: Post this attention grabbing-tweet and spending majority of the earlier month (June) tweeting out against the 'corrupt systems' of the AIADMK government, Kamal Haasan in an interview to Thanthi TV had stated, "I am not equipped enough to take on a career in politics. I am the sort of person who thinks that corruption should not be a part of public life. That does not automatically make me a good choice of leader”, once again in contrast to his earlier innuendos.

 

August, 2017: Kamal Haasan was seen using his show Bigg Boss Tamil to comment on the reunion of O. Paneer Selvam and Edapaddi K Palaniswami factions of the ruling government and take pot-shots at AIADMK at various occasions. At several occasions on the show, the actor had dropped hints of his entry into politics, sending the media into will-he-or-will-he-not phase, similar to one they had for Rajinikanth's career in politics.

 

August 15, 2017 : On the country's 70th Independence day anniversary, Kamal Haasan asked for the resignation of Chief Minister and urged the public to 'find others'if they found DMK and AIADMK to be blunt.


 

 

August 29, 2017 : Kamal's political game took a major turn when the actor while speaking at a public event at Coimbatore had asked his fans of 37 years to be ready to march towards fort, in an apparent reference to Fort St. George, an area in Chennai where both the Tamil Nadu Assembly and Secretariat are located.

 

September 1, 2017: Kamal Haasan who had for years identified as an atheist, met Communist party leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the latter's residence in Kerala. Haasan also declared the same day that "saffron is not his colour" indicating that he would not be joining the BJP.

 

September 15, 2017 : In an interview to The Quint, Kamal Haasan was posed an yes-or-no question on his political plunge to which the actor replied, "Yes I am thinking on those lines, not out of choice but compulsion." Later at en event at Chennai, the actor issued a contradicting statement saying, "I will not enter politics in haste.. If Rajnikanth enters politics, I will join hands with him."

 

September 20, 2017: After declaring his meetings with leaders as "political tourism" for his "learning curve", Kamal Haasan had another high-profile 'lunch meet" with AAP Chief and CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal at the former's residence. "When the country is facing corruption and communalism, all like-minded people should come together," Haasan had said of the meeting.

 

September 21, 2017 : In a TV interview with Times Now's editor-in-chief, Kamal Haasan declared, "I am not going to do business with any of them (existing political parties). I will go alone..If there is election in 100 days, I will be there."

 

September 25, 2017: Kamal Haasan quotes to a TOI interview that he is 'Ok to join hands with BJP' if there is a 'common minimum programme that will benefit people'. This is also the first time Kamal Haasan indicates at 'quitting acting' if he takes up a 'position legally'. "It will be painful, but I will have to do it because my commitment would be something else", adds the actor on quitting the profession that earned him the title 'ulaganayagan'. He also tells CNN News 18 in a TV interview that Rajinikanth is more suitable ally for the saffron party due to his 'religious beliefs'.

 

November, 2017 : On his 63rd birthday, Kamal Haasan launched the Maiyam Whistle app which was aimed to be a 'whistle-blower' platform for the public. Haasan had also announced that he would be touring the state of Tamil Nadu from January, 2018 as a beginning to his 'political journey'. Earlier that week, Kamal Haasan wrote in his column in Ananda Vikatan that right-wing Hindus have moved from engaging in debates to employing terrorism to propagate their agenda. Expectedly, Haasan’s comment in the magazine set off an uproar from Hindutva forces as well as BJP leaders.

 

January, 2018 : Almost 2 weeks after Rajinikanth announcing his contest in the 2021 TN Assembly elections, Kamal Haasan revealed that he would announce the name of his political party on February 21, 2018 and would start a statewide tour on the same day from Ramanathapuram district. Names his tour "Naalai Namadhe" completely aware that it reminds people of the late MGR, founder of AIADMK. (link)

 

February 11, 2018 : Kamal Haasan speaks at the Harvard University about the political state of Tamil Nadu and once again contradicts his statement on both Rajinikanth and his suitability with 'saffron'. He quotes, “I hope Rajini’s colour is not saffron. Alliance with Rajini is unlikely if his colour is saffron,” Kamal Haasan also ruled out a post-poll alliance saying, “If there is no majority, its the people’s verdict. Then I would not have to sit but stand and wait for the next time,”

 

February 19, 2018 : Following Rajinikanth's footsteps, Kamal Haasan called on DMK chief M. Karunanidhi to before beginning his political journey. After the meeting, Haasan said, “DMK’s ideology is known. If my ideology suits them, they can think about it (an alliance).” Earlier that week, Kamal also met chief election commissioner T.N. Seshan, former CPI state leader R Nallakannu and his rival/counterpart Rajinikanth.

 

February 21, 2018 : Kamal will address a string of meetings and unveil his party flag at Madurai, marking the commencement of his political journey. He will address public meetings at Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Manamadurai and Paramakudi on that day.

 

Kamal Haasan holds himself to be a rationalist and seems to be strong on his anti-religion stand. Other than that his statements have so far been indicative of being situation-specific.

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