Kamal Haasan Named Rajya Sabha Candidate as DMK Keeps Its Promise to Makkal Needhi Maiyam

In a significant political development, veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan has been announced as the Rajya Sabha candidate from his party, Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM), after ally DMK fulfilled its pre-poll commitment. The decision was formalized following a resolution passed by the MNM leadership, confirming Haasan as their nominee for the Upper House of Parliament.

Haasan, who founded MNM in 2018 during a massive public gathering in Madurai, has steadily positioned himself as a serious political voice in Tamil Nadu. Although the party chose not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it extended its full support to the DMK-led INDIA bloc, campaigning vigorously across the state. In return, the DMK had assured a Rajya Sabha seat for MNM — a promise now realized.

Murali Appas, a senior MNM leader, stated that the party’s executive committee had unanimously resolved to nominate Kamal Haasan. “We are proud to elevate our leader to a national platform where his voice can resonate on issues that matter,” he added.

Apart from Kamal Haasan, the DMK has also named three other candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for June 19. The official list includes Salma, a noted poet and activist; Advocate P Wilson, who has served in the Rajya Sabha previously; and SR Sivalingam, a party veteran.

Given the arithmetic in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the DMK-led INDIA alliance — which includes the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI, and CPM — is well-placed to secure all four seats up for grabs. With 158 MLAs supporting the coalition in the 234-member assembly, each of their candidates easily crosses the 34-vote threshold required for election to the Upper House.

Makkal Needhi Maiyam’s foray into Parliament comes after a steady but challenging political journey. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, MNM had secured 2.62% of the total vote share — a modest but promising figure for a young political outfit.

However, as Kamal Haasan’s political ascent continues, he finds himself at the center of a linguistic controversy. Recent remarks attributed to him — allegedly claiming that the Kannada language has roots in Tamil — have triggered backlash in Karnataka. The statement has particularly drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders.

Vijayendra Yediyurappa, BJP Karnataka President and MLA from Shikaripura, condemned Haasan’s comments as “arrogant” and “disrespectful.” In a strongly worded social media post, he demanded an unconditional apology, reminding Haasan of his past association with Kannada cinema and the generosity of Kannada audiences.

“Artists must cultivate respect for all languages. It’s unfortunate that someone like Kamal Haasan, who has benefitted from the Kannada industry, would make such a divisive remark,” Yediyurappa said. He further highlighted Kannada’s rich history and its recognition as a significant language not just in India but globally.

The controversy comes at a time when Haasan is poised to step into national politics, where such linguistic sensitivities can have broader implications. While his party maintains a silence on the issue, the actor-turned-politician’s ability to navigate this storm will be closely watched.

As Kamal Haasan prepares to enter the Rajya Sabha, the political stage awaits yet another chapter in his evolving journey — one that merges the world of cinema, activism, and now, policy-making at the highest level.