Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan marked a significant milestone in his political journey on Friday by taking oath in Tamil as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Backed by the DMK-led alliance, Haasan was elected unopposed in June 2024, making his formal parliamentary debut in the Upper House.
Before the swearing-in, Haasan said, “I’m going to swear-in and register my name. As an Indian, I will do my duty.”
The veteran actor-politician had the option of contesting a Lok Sabha seat or accepting a Rajya Sabha nomination offered by the DMK. He chose the latter, highlighting his focus on contributing to national discussions from the Upper House. Despite this, the MNM fully backed the DMK-Congress alliance during the 2024 general elections, reflecting a strategic alignment in recent years.
Shift in Strategy: From Independent Voice to Strategic Alliance
Kamal Haasan launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2018 with the aim of presenting a non-Dravidian political alternative to the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. However, in recent years, Haasan acknowledged a shift in position, citing “national interest rather than personal political gain” as the reason for allying with the DMK.
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The move from ideological distance to strategic alliance culminated in his Rajya Sabha entry, signaling a matured political stance and broader national ambition.
At MNM’s eighth founding day celebrations in Chennai, Haasan had hinted at his impending Parliament debut, saying, “This year, our voice will be heard in Parliament. Next year, your voice will be heard in the State Assembly.”
With his oath now complete, Kamal Haasan begins a new chapter in his public life—this time, not on screen but in the nation’s legislative spotlight.
