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In a significant political development, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan announced on Saturday that his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) will forge an alliance with the MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and extend unwavering support for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing the media in Chennai, Kamal Haasan emphasized that the alliance with the DMK was driven by a commitment to the nation, rather than personal ambitions. He reaffirmed MNM’s dedication to the cause, stating, “Joined the DMK-led alliance for the sake of the country, not with any consideration for the post.”
The agreement between MNM and DMK was formalized at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in the presence of Kamal Haasan and DMK chief minister M.K. Stalin. As part of the alliance, the DMK has allocated one seat to MNM for the 2025 Rajya Sabha elections, solidifying their partnership.
MNM has pledged “full support” to the alliance and will actively participate in campaign efforts across the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone Puducherry segment, in accordance with the agreement between the two parties.
Kamal Haasan’s endorsement of Udhayanidhi Stalin amidst the ‘Sanatana Dharma’ controversy showcased solidarity within the alliance, with Haasan defending the younger politician against undue criticism.
Haasan’s political trajectory has seen strategic alignments, including accompanying Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Tamil Nadu in December 2022. Despite setbacks in previous elections, including the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2021 Assembly polls, MNM extended support to the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidate in the Erode by-polls.
Negotiations regarding seat-sharing are currently underway and are expected to conclude over the weekend. In the 2019 general elections, both MNM and DMK collaborated on seat-sharing, resulting in a resounding victory by securing 38 out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats, with the Congress clinching 8 out of the 9 contested.
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