Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan who launched his political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam on February 21 announced the “first set of key party members” on Tuesday. The list of 15 members come from various walks of like from entertainment to law to former bureaucrats. However, only two women feature on the list.
The list includes some known faces like industrialist CK Kumaravel and actor Sripriya Rajkumar among others who had previously welcomed Kamal Haasan’s political entry on social media. They were also seen on stage with him at the Ottakattai Grounds in Madurai where the actor had unveiled his party flag, name and objectives.
Retired IPS AG Maurya and former IAS officer Rangarajan constitute the team that is expected to advise Kamal on key political strategy early on. They are also expected to help him manage the eight villages that he plans to adopt across Tamil Nadu.
The list also mentions agriculturalist and advocate A Arunachalam as well as advocate C Rajashekaran.
Film producer Kameela Nasser is also on the list along with Professor Ku Gnanasambandhan.
Senior Executive of Kamal Haasan’s Raj Kamal Films International S Moorthy is also on the list along with two entrepreneurs, RR Sivaraman and S Sowrirajan.
In addition to the aforementioned names, writer director Bharathi Krishnakumar, Thoongavanam dialogue writer Suka are also on the list.
Writer and journalist Raja Narayanan who also serves as Kamal’s political manager finds mention in the list.
In his letter to the press, Kamal put a big ‘vanakkam’ to “each one of close to one lakh participants who thronged the launch venue for their participation and cooperation.”
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 and AAP leader Somnath Bharti.