A day after Kamal announced the name and the flag of his party – Makkal Needhi Maiam – his regular column in Tamil magazine Vikatan comes with an account of the meetings he had with political leaders along with his take on secularism.
Kamal said: “People say I dishonour the colour saffron. That is wrong. There is space for that sacrifice (saffron indicates sacrifice in the national flag) even in our national flag. I only feel that it should not spread across the entire flag. We should give the space and respect for the others as well. That is the pledge we've taken. The constitution too mentions that.”
“There is a video doing the rounds on Youtube which has people taking the pledge to remove the word “secular” from politics. How did things change like that in just half a century? Can we do such a sacrifice to harvest votes? I want to change that politics (the one that doesn't care about bloodshed and loss of life),” he further wrote.
“You can call me your leader due to affection. But I will be the servant who does what’s required for the people. “Do not make me your PM but instead your chowkidar (gatekeeper),” said Modi. Today many say that. But I think there should be no leader. Why leadership? Isn’t it enough to just be like a CEO?” he asked.
He also talked about one of his earlier meetings with Rajini and how they agreed upon treating each other respectfully, come what may. “We spoke about dignity and that even if we were to stand on the opposite sides, respect for each other should always be there. Rajini too agreed for the war ethics I sought.”
Kamal also explains in the column why he might seem like a leftist to many. “I do not see the Left nor the Right. I want to reflect all those who are good to the country from the center. People too seek that,” he wrote.
On February 21, Kamal embarked on his political tour beginning from former President late APJ Abdul Kalam's residence in Rameswaram. He unfurled the party flag in red, white and black hues at the Ottakattai Grounds in Madurai. His party launch from Madurai was also attended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.