Kamal Haasan’s MNM To Skip Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls, Backs DMK Alliance

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has announced that his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), will not contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and will instead support the ruling alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The decision marks a strategic shift for the party as it aligns itself with the broader opposition bloc ahead of the polls.

Kamal Haasan said the party held discussions with DMK leaders regarding possible participation in the elections. However, the terms proposed during the negotiations, including the suggestion that MNM candidates contest using the DMK's Rising Sun symbol and the seat-sharing arrangement offered to the party, were not acceptable to MNM's cadre. While describing the proposals as legitimate from the DMK's perspective, Kamal Haasan said his party's supporters were not comfortable with the arrangement.

Despite opting out of the electoral contest, Haasan emphasised that MNM would extend full support to the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. He also reiterated his backing for the leadership of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, stating that the alliance represents a continuation of governance under what he called "Dravidian Model 2.0."

According to Kamal Haasan, the party's decision was taken after internal discussions and with the broader goal of maintaining political unity among parties opposed to the BJP in the state. He said MNM would actively campaign in favour of the alliance to ensure the continuation of the DMK government.

The move is expected to influence the dynamics of the Tamil Nadu election campaign, as MNM's support could consolidate votes for the ruling alliance in a state where regional parties traditionally dominate the political landscape.