Why Kamal Haasan’s missed larger position in multi-starrer TN politics | India Information
Final month, when Kamal Haasan drove into Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters in Chennai, to just accept the Rajya Sabha nomination from CM M Okay Stalin, it marked the top of the street for the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder’s promise to offer a substitute for the 2 Dravidian events in Tamil Nadu.Haasan launched MNM in Feb 2018, searching for to distil the anger in opposition to the institution. MNM’s first political promo forward of 2019 Lok Sabha elections confirmed the actor breaking a TV set that’s beaming a speech, ostensibly by Stalin. Lower to 2026 and, having accepted a Rajya Sabha nomination, Haasan “magnanimously” surrendered the three meeting seats DMK had supplied to MNM as an alliance providing.Why did Haasan, who redefined success in films, fail to reside as much as his promise as a politician? The errors, most likely, began early. MNM, true to its title (‘Maiam’ means centre), sought to be a centrist drive, representing various sections of society. That positioning itself was seen as missing credibility, since Haasan was identified for his leftist views a lot earlier than his political entry. Being on the centre of the political discourse additionally smacked of political ambivalence.Within the ballot enviornment, MNM met with successive electoral setbacks. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it contested 37 seats and drew a clean, with a vote share of three.7%. In 2021 meeting elections, it fielded candidates in 154 seats, received nothing, and noticed its vote share dip to 2.5%. In neighbouring Puducherry, it bought simply 1.8% votes. Forward of the 2024 normal elections, MNM joined the DMK-led alliance.Following the demise of influential leaders corresponding to Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi, many noticed a brand new political area in Tamil Nadu, which movie personalities like Haasan and Rajinikanth may probably fill. Whereas Haasan took the plunge, Rajinikanth shelved his political plans in late 2020, citing well being issues.Haasan’s core staff comprised individuals from various skilled backgrounds — IAS officer Santhosh Babu, retired IPS officer A G Maurya, businessman R Mahendran, entrepreneur C Okay Kumaravel, social employee Kameela Nasser, actordirector Sripriya, and author Suka. Although notable of their respective fields, they had been all political novices, and Haasan failed to draw veterans from different events.Anusha Ravi, a lawyer who was MNM propaganda secretary, says she joined the social gathering attracted by Haasan’s name for change. “However, quickly, he misplaced his conviction and I felt demotivated. Haasan is captivated with cinema, however not politics,” says Ravi, who joined BJP in 2024.Some political analysts really feel Haasan lacked a coherent political technique. “MNM has had a weak organisational construction and restricted engagement with individuals,” says political commentator Aazhi Senthilnathan. “Haasan’s attraction stays largely confined to city voters. A number of key members exited the social gathering after the 2019 debacle, some becoming a member of different events like DMK.”Political analyst Priyan Srinivasan says Haasan was not sure of the right way to take care of setbacks. “Electoral defeat is regular; one will need to have a plan to take the social gathering ahead,” he says. “Have a look at Naam Tamilar Katchi. It confronted a number of defeats, however its chief Seeman is least annoyed and retains the social gathering related.”Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) normal secretary D Ravikumar says Haasan’s electoral loss to Vanathi Srinivasan by a slim margin in Coimbatore in 2019 was a turning level. “Had he received, his political profession would have been totally different. Sustaining a political social gathering requires persistence, grassroots work, and long-term dedication,” says Ravikumar, who phrases Haasan’s migration to DMK fold “pragmatic and regressive”.In cinema, Haasan, known as ‘Sakalakala Vallavan (grasp of all arts)’ is thought for displaying mental depth and artistic assertiveness. Nevertheless, a lot of his works struggled to resonate with rural audiences, as his concepts had been typically forward of their time. Mentored by legendary director Okay Balachander, Haasan rose to turn into one in every of South India’s most celebrated actors.But, the transition from cinema to politics brings a special set of challenges, the place particular person brilliance should give strategy to collective management and organisational power.Haasan shouldn’t be the primary large star to fail in politics. Legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan tried his luck with DMK and Congress, earlier than founding Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani in 1988. After failing to make a mark within the 1989 elections, it merged with Janata Dal. For Tamil Nadu’s newest film-to-politics crossover star TVK chief Vijay, Haasan’s journey holds a number of classes.CROSSOVER STARSM G Ramachandran | The actor joined DMK in 1953 after leaving Congress. He was appointed social gathering treasurer in 1969. In 1972, after variations inside noticed him expelled from DMK, MGR floated his social gathering, ADMK. He would function a two-term CM, remaining within the saddle for 10 years.J Jayalalitha | She joined ADMK in 1982 and rapidly rose via the ranks to turn into its propaganda secretary by 1983. Generally known as ‘Puratchi Thalaivi’, or ‘revolutionary chief’, she was a five-time CM and was an ADMK colossus who has been the longest-serving normal secretary of the social gathering.Shivaji Ganesan Based Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani social gathering in 1988 after leaving Congress. However the social gathering didn’t win seats in 1989 polls, main him to briefly be a part of Janata Dal earlier than retiring from politics.Vijayakanth | Based DMDK in 2005 and served as a two-time MLA from the social gathering. DMDK emerged because the second-largest social gathering within the 2011 meeting elections and Vijayakanth went on to turn into chief of the opposition within the Tamil Nadu meeting from 2011 to 2016.R Sarath Kumar | The actor based All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) in 2007. After main the social gathering for over 16 years, he merged it with BJP in 2024, citing the necessity for stronger collective motion and ideological alignment with PM Modi.
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