Chennai, March 10: The Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted Kamal Haasan's political Party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), "battery torch" as a symbol for the national elections. The ECI is set to announce the poll dates on Sunday evening at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Actor-turned-politician welcomed the development and said his party "will endeavour' to become a "torch bearer" in politics. Makkal Needhi Maiam to Contest in Tamil Nadu Bypolls, Announces Kamal Haasan on 64th Birthday.

Welcoming the decision by the EC, Kamal Haasan in a tweet said, "MNM thanks the Election commission for granting us the "Battery Torch" symbol for the forthcoming elections. So appropriate. @maiamofficial will endeavour to be the “Torch-Bearer” for a new era in TN and Indian politics." Makkal Needhi Maiam Leader Kamal Haasan Calls for Plebiscite in Kashmir, Terms PoK As ‘Azad Kashmir’.

Tweet by Kamal Haasan:

Tweet by Makkal Needhi Maiam:

Last month, Kamal Haasan had announced that his party will contest in all 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and one seat in Puducherry in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also announced that his party will contest alone, without any alliance with any other party. Meanwhile, the two major parties in the state, AIADMK and DMK had announced their alliance with BJP and Congress, respectively.

Recently, the actor said that his party is the "A team" of Tamil Nadu. Makkal Needhi Maiam was launched last year in February 2018. Since then, Haasan has met many political leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2019 02:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).