I am a seed and not a paper flower: Kamal to Stalin

Earlier, DMK working president took a jibe at recent political entrants saying, “Paper flowers may bloom in the political sphere of Tamil Nadu, but they will not emanate any fragrance.” 

Kamal Haasan, who landed here around 1 am, while addressing the media, said that he was at an important phase of his life and it was time to repay the soil which nourished him with love and care.  When asked why did he choose Madurai for the launch event, he replied that “Yaadum Oore Yaavarum Kelir” (meaning all places are his native, all are relatives, in Tamil). 

Meanwhile, Dairy Minister Rajenthra Bhalaji in Virudhunagar said that Kamal does not know what he is doing. The actor had never been in the politics of the state before. His politics would not succeed.  Though Kamal Haasan is new to politics, Madurai had witnessed such mega events on several occasions in the past from the era of ‘Makkal Thilagam MGR.’ Some old-timers, who had witnessed the launch of ADMK by MGR in Madurai, said Kamal Haasan was not the first person or actor to start his political party in Madurai as former Chief Minister MGR, Vaiko, Vijayakanth, Sarath Kumar and others had done it before. However, there are vast differences between MGR and Kamal when it comes to party launch. When MGR started his party, he was already popular both as an actor and a politician. His fan base transformed into a solid vote-bank. “But it may not be the same in the case of Kamal Haasan,” felt MGR fans.  

Speaking to DT Next, D Jeyapal, president, MGR Mandram, Madurai, who was one among the very few MGR fans to be present when MGR launched his party, said that when the DMK suspended MGR there was massive protest across the state and counter agitations by the DMK cadre. 

“More than 10 lakh attended the party launch of MGR. We have to wait and see the turnout at tomorrow’s event for Kamal. The fans of Kamal and Rajini are in many parties. So, will they extend the same support to these actors if they come to politics, only time will tell,” said Jeyapal.  Similarly, another MGR fan, MGR Nagarajan, who had constructed a temple for MGR in Madurai, said that the entire Madurai wore a festive look when MGR started his party in 1972. All government buses carried the posters of MGR causing a doubt whether there was a ruling party functioning in the state. “I don’t see such a kind of wave now for Kamal,” said Nagarajan.