Kamal’s party changes stand on bypolls

The High Court’s decision to uphold the disqualification of 18 MLAs of the TTV Dhinakaran camp has left a total of 20 seats vacant in the state assembly. Asked if his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, would consider contesting in the bypolls, Kamal Hassan said that MNM would do so if polls are held in all 20 constituencies.

In September, the actor-politician had said that his party had decided to not contest in any local body elections or by-elections in the state but focus on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. His comment is a departure from the earlier stated position of Makkal Needhi Maiam.

Kamal also spoke on the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He said that he did not welcome this appointment but hoped that Rajapaksa would not repeat the mistakes of his past. He added that while we cannot interfere with the domestic politics of another nation, if Tamil people are in any danger then we must step in and extend support.

Kamal Haasan attended the 1st International Conference on Lung Transplant and advanced management - ILDCON 2018 alongside Health Secretary Dr Radhakrishnan. He also met with the school van and Auto Drivers’ union from Adambakkam at his office in Alwarpet.