Opinion: Kamal Haasan launching new party but can he keep the idealism?

On Wednesday, the South Indian film star Kamal Haasan symbolically launches his new political party; he started a march from the memorial of the former president of India, late Abdul Kalaam in the southern fishing town of Rameswaram. The march is named as NaalaiNamadhey (Tomorrow is Ours) -- a phrase borrowed from the title of a blockbuster movie of the former chief minister and the late leader of the AIADMK party M.G. Ramachandran, fondly remembered by the people of Tamilnadu as M.G.R.

Before launching his campaign, Kamal Haasan has met the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarai Vijayan, Chief Minister of Delhi and Aam aadmi leader Arvind Kejriwal, and other political leaders of Tamilnadu. A couple of days ago, he met and sought the blessings of Karunanidhi, the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam. Karunanidhi is 94 and is totally inactive, unable to speak or move which means that he has almost disappeared from the political scenario of the state giving the reins of the party to his son and heir apparent, M.K. Stalin. He also met the superstar of the Tamil films Rajnikanth who has also announced his intention to start a political party of his own. He also sought the blessings of the former chief election commissioner T.N Seshan who ushered electoral reforms in India.

Though there had been speculations that Rajnikanth would be plunging into politics since 1996, Kamal Haasan has entered the fray only a few months ago. Following the death of Jayalalitha and the illness of Karunanidhi, there indeed is a political vacuum in the state which both these starters hope to fill. They seem to think that people of Tamilnadu are fed up with the two Dravidian parties and are looking for an alternative.

On Sunday, Kamal Haasan met Rajnikanth, giving rise to the speculation that they may join to form a common endeavour. But Rajnikanth made it clear that he had no such idea while Kamal Haasan termed it as just a meeting between friends.

Rajnikanth’s fan base is much larger than that of Kamal Haasan and the fans of both the stars have been told to enroll membership for their respective political parties whose names, flags and even policies are yet to be pronounced.It is also too much to expect that all the fans will be voting for their matinee idols who are past their prime in the film industry.

Kamal Haasan appears quite confused. He claims to be a rationalist and an atheist but is quick to deny he is anti-Hindu, saying that his family members, including his daughter Sruthi Hasan are strong believers in God. He says he is against Hindutva but says he may not hesitate to align with the BJP if it is in the interests of the people. He once donned the black shirt and called himself a follower of Periyar and was seen hugging Mr. Veeramani, the leader of the Dravidar Kazhakam. But now, Veeramani has strong words against him after he made his political ambitions clear.

Kamal Haasan’s brother Charu Haasan, in a recent television interview, said that Kamal Haasan can never win elections as the people of Tamilnadu would not vote for a Brahmin chief minister. Kamal Haasan looks too much of an elitist to attract rural voters. He lacks the oratorical skills and some times it becomes difficult to decipher his utterances. He says he is planning to collect 30 crores from his fans to run the party. Will his fans oblige?

While Rajnikanth has declared that he would contest elections without aligning with any party, Kamal Haasan has not said anything about his leanings. However, the DMK believes he will not cut into their vote bank but, eventually, he may align with them at least post elections. This explains the warm welcome accorded to him by Stalin when he went to seek the blessings of Karunanidhi in contrast to the coldness that prevailed during Rajnikanth’s visit.

These days screen image is not enough to win votes. Telugu star Siranjivi in Andhra, Vijayakanth and Saratkumar in Tamilnadu have learned bitter lessons in politics. Both the Dravidian parties have specialised in the art of bribing voters of Tamilnadu. Reality is both Rajinikanth and Kamalhasan will find it difficult to maintain their idealism.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)