Kamal Haasan Enters Politics: How Parties in Tamil Nadu Have Reacted so Far
Although the state-based political forces have offered flak, Haasan's decision was welcomed by political stalwarts including Arvind Kejriwal, Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar and Pinarayi Vijayan.
Madurai, Feb 21: Film actor Kamal Haasan's entry into Tamil Nadu politics draws national gaze, as the state continues to remain on shaky political grounds since the demise of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. For the fans of Haasan, a "revolution is on the way" as they put up banners across Rameswaram to Madurai, saying, "naalai namadhe (tomorrow is ours)".
However, many within the Tamil polity are not impressed with Haasan's bid to bring a "change". The political majors of the state have already predicted a lacklustre future for the actor's political party -- which he was scheduled to launch in Madurai late on Wednesday.
Here is how the state's established political parties have reacted to Haasan's entry into politics:
'A paper flower' will have no chance against 'a banyan tree': DMK
DMK's Working President MK Stalin, who reportedly shares a bonhomie with Haasan, took a stinging jibe against the actor over his entry into politics.
In a letter written to the DMK cadres in the state, Stalin said Haasan's entry into politics cannot hurt the prospects of the party founded by Karunanidhi. Describing Haasan's political launch as "a paper flower", he said it would stand no chance against "a banyan tree like DMK".
"As the climate changes, such flower bloom out. But they are without any fragrance and wither away soon," Stalin said, predicting a bleak future of Haasan in state politics.
No space for any new party in Tamil Nadu: Congress
DMK's ally Congress was equally scathing while commenting against the political entry of Haasan. Claiming that the actor would offer no real alternative to the DMK or AIADMK, senior party leader Veerappa Moily said Haasan would fail to capture the people's imagination.
"Unless you (Haasan) have a regional agenda of your own, what space will you occupy? If he thought that AIADMK will collapse leaving a political vacuum, then I don't think that is happening," Moily was reported as saying.
Tamil Nadu not a situation where only Haasan could save it: BJP
The ruling BJP at Centre, which itself lacks political ground in Tamil Nadu, said the state does not require any kind of alternative which Haasan is proposing.
"Under a democracy, anyone is free to float a party and fight elections. But Tamil Nadu is not in a situation where only Haasan can save it," BJP's state unit chief Tamilisai Soundararajan said while speaking to reporters.
Haasan, a 'genetically modified seed', has no leadership skill: AIADMK
The AIADMK, which runs the incumbent government in the state, has faced the maximum brunt of Haasan's political barbs so far. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, on being asked to comment on Haasan's entry into active politics, called him a "genetically modified seed" who has no leadership skills.
Agreeing with the remarks made by DMK's Stalin against him, the senior AIADMK leader said, "Mr Stalin is correct. He is a paper flower who can never blossom in politics."
Although the Tamil parties, who are the incumbent contenders in the state's electoral fray, offered flak towards Haasan's decision to enter politics, the actor-turned politician drew applause from stalwarts of other regional parties. Among leaders who have welcomed his decision include: Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and senior CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2018 05:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).