Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan’s party Makkal Needhi Maiam has announced its first list of 70 party candidates for the April 6 elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, including former associate of former president, the late APJ Abdul Kalam.
The alliance, which faces an election with its allies, actor R Sarath Kumar, led by All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) and India Jananayaka Katchi (IJK) of Lok Sabha MP Paarivendhar, has declared that it will try its fortunes from 154 out of 234 seats, leaving the rest to its two partners.
Haasan announced the candidacy of 70 people to fight his party’s maiden assembly elections, fighting injustice and good governance.
V Ponraj, a scientist and former associate of late Mr Kalam, was nominated by Anna Nagar in the district, while former IAS officer Santhosh Babu was chosen by the Villivakkam group in the metropolis.
The film lyricist Snehan was among the 70 candidates declared by Kamal Haasan for various state-wide electoral districts, including Kancheepuram, Mettur, Erode, Coonoor, Avanashi (SC), Viralimalai, Bodinayakkanur, Nagercoil and Colachel. The alliance, described by the respective party leaders as a “First Front” and not a “Third Front,” as some have pointed out, has named Kamal Haasan as its chief ministerial candidate.
Meanwhile, the Vaiko-led MDMK, an ally of the DMK, listed six parts of the assembly from which it would challenge, following its agreement with the lead partner earlier.
MDMK will be nominated by Madurantakam (SC), Sathur, Palladam, Madurai South, Vasudevanallur (SC) and Ariyalur.
As per the arrangement concluded with DMK, the MDMK candidates will compete on the former Rising Sun sign.
The DMK has concluded a one-seat agreement with the All India Forward Bloc, where the outfit will compete on the Rising Sun symbol.
The MK Stalin-led DMK has settled on the electoral divisions to be contested by a number of other partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League, which will nominate its candidates from Vaniyambadi, Kadayanallur and Chidambaram.