The actor-politician discusses his ideology, the reasons for his choice of candidates, caste-politics in Tamil Nadu and politics to recall the company of his longtime friend Rajinikanth.
Politics sits very well on Kamal Haasan. A ‘novice’ in politics, this cinema veteran, is comfortable with the new skin he wears. He says he raced the field in 2018 with the launch of his party Makkal Neidi Mime, and he has been running ever since. Things are busy, possibly more than ever, but his demise calls for “comfort” and “confidence”. By lowering the double-digit polling percentage in Coimbatore and South Chennai constituencies in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he believes his party has grown with love from the people. Here, he discusses with Hindu Because of his ideology, choice of candidates, caste-politics in Tamil Nadu and the company of his longtime friend Rajinikanth in politics.
Excerpts:
What is your ideology? Do you believe in the left-right ideological spectrum?
We believe that the left and right are present and have their properties. We also have criticism. But, we have this state of ‘centralism’, which allows us to put people before ideologies. This is the virtue and power of centralism, which is rapidly gaining momentum in world politics.
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At the same time, let me tell you that all the ‘works’ are in progress. They do not offer full resolution for all problems. Therefore, we are using another approach and an ideology to remove the distortions of the people. Many governments are trying it successfully. Many scholars, American scholars voucher for the values of centralism.
Is your manifesto / agenda the completion of plans for social development and upliftment?
Yes. It is an inclusive politics that excludes anyone. We do not begin by saying that it is not for them. This is not a special club. It includes the well being of all. This state is not welfare, but a welfare state.
You are taking two Dravidian parties to the Dravidian land. Do you find both AIADMK and DMK problematic?
The word Dravidian is first used only for rhetoric. It is an anthropological description. Everyone who speaks Tamil and has a dark complexion and thick lips, as we are in this room, deserves to be Dravidian. I think Dravidism cannot be limited to only two or three parties or Tamil Nadu. I think the word Dravid – as an anthropological term – applies to the whole nation and is pan-national.
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Do you not subscribe to the idea of ’Brahmin-non-Brahmin’ politics as understood here?
Brahmin-non-Brahmin politics is so limited – it will not go anywhere. It has no wheels, no vision. We do not have to re-invent anything – our constitution is very strong and written by very intelligent people who thought that caste was to stay here for some more time. So, I think we are waiting for it and it is happening now. People with designs are trying to revert back to retrograde times because it is easier to manipulate common people with this type of means, which are actually archaic.
Do you believe that the MNM front on which you have been fascinated together is the third front?
This is the first front. It is only based on calculations and data that you call it the third front. But, through the people and the ability to be saved, we are the first front. Second party candidates already have 33% criminality. And that’s the crowd you’re going to vote for. You don’t even need to look at the record … Demonor himself is enough for us to understand his background. This is criminal, and this is reflected in his actions and his hasty decisions.
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Do you want to become CM in 2021 or are you a long time and finally, playing a role in the center as well?
We have been here for a long time; Otherwise, I would not have started a party. I must have attached myself to the existing thing [party]. We came up with a symbol and an ideology, which would last until at least the second century. I do not say that all these are the right solution for all the diseases of the society. We should arrive at something … When Marx and Engels used the phrase ‘Brothers of the World Unite’ and changed it to ‘Workers of the World Unite’, they knew that it should last 100 years.
Yes, I am the man of the moment and the party of the moment. And in political history, that moment can be 100 years or 200 years. But, before reaching any major decision in life, we should have at least that kind of longevity. It is not that I am not thinking of getting into politics, but I did not, because I thought that there would be a change in politics with the available resources. But, further and further criminalization is that it deserves a fair set of people to step up and take on this civic duty.
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Do you disagree with the Dravidian parties regarding their ideology about corruption?
They are both a captive of time and of necessity. They are the linear progress of the Justice Party, so these are a group of people who have really felt discriminated against … and that angle had to change.
DMK gets out of DK. And this broke another branch – AIADMK. The first difference of opinion was not ideological, rather it was about corruption. MGR’s dissatisfaction was due to rampant corruption. This has now been questioned again by many other parties including us. Constant vigilance is a part of the democracy-to-do list and is not done by a commission group, but by the people themselves.
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A diverse, mixed bag with people from occupations, age groups, genders and minorities is presented on the MNM candidate list. What did the candidate go through in the selection process?
First, we see if they have an inclination to do something for people. If we had respected him before anything else, most of them would not have been selected. Some of them are still working to make ends meet. Their track record shows that they have already done what politicians usually promise to do after being elected. Within their limited powers, they have already served the people, and want to do more. And they already have plans. And these are the people who, by participating, are going to enhance our manifesto. They are not going to get into finance, but the persistence of purpose will excite our engine to move forward. There are doctors … there are disillusioned IAS officers, who are very unhappy with the government. And, one of them still has eight to nine years of service. He renounced all this to join the party. Ponraj was a category G scientist with the government. He sat down with Mr. Kalam to form a vision for the nation. These are people who are working with us. It is a synergy of different ideas and intentions. So these are people who have been advocates and who were part of the government, who have now become part of us. And when we come to power, they will present a critical analysis of our service to the people. And that is what keeps us awake. And not sleeping in our chair.
Your thoughts on internal reservation for Vanniyars?
This is a ‘bouncing check’, they cannot encash it.
Why did you choose Coimbatore South Constituency for yourself?
Out of 234 constituencies I chose Coimbatore South, the reason being that it is the region most affected by corruption by very notorious politicians… so I thought it would be a straight challenge if not attacked. Another reason is that the brunt of the Coimbatore communal disharmony is clearly taken up by the national parties, and they are also contesting there. This is a direct challenge.
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Would it have been safe and unwise to go to Malapur where I have relatives and people of the same caste. I had to prove that I am beyond caste, beyond community and beyond religious division, and that is why I chose Coimbatore. A lot of civil work is pending, they have been promised but never delivered. We want to make it accessible to all people and establish that place as an example of goodwill and administration.
What do you think about your manifesto?
We have already released its 49 issue. And we are a little watchful, because everything we are saying, everyone is buzzing. Maybe all good ideas are the same, but I don’t think so. I will wait now. And then we will give them better options.
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Are you disappointed that the Congress has not changed your party?
Congress should be disappointed because they did not meet their old allies. We would have given what we told them. And they shone better with us – ideologically, we are not far away.
Do you miss Mr. Rajinikanth in politics and are you also in politics?
No, we have never. We have always chosen our parallel paths and waved each other at the appropriate moments. And, it would have been the same. The choice of whether or not to participate in electoral politics is very personal, and it is their decision. The reason he did not enter politics is an irrefutable reason for personal health… so I think where he stands, he stands and it is a good place. I can go to them for an idea or two.
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