The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on Wednesday, released its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu. The party founder Kamal Haasan announced the names of 21 candidates in this list and said that other names will be released on March 24. While the actor-turned-politician who is expected to contest from Ramanathapuram does not feature in this first list, he has promised that the second list which will be announced in Coimbatore will spark even greater interest.
Amongst the prominent names in the first list are film producer Kameela Nasser from Chennai Central and retired IPS officer AG Mourya from Chennai North. Kameela Nasser is a film producer and wife of popular south Indian actor Nasser. She is also an executive committee member of Makkal Needhi Maiam.
Kameela will be facing off with former Union Minister Dayanadhi Maran of the DMK and Sam Paul from PMK in Chennai Central.
Mourya, meanwhile, was a former Deputy Inspector General of Prisons. He was forced to face uncomfortable questions during his tenure when prison officials were allegedly caught on camera dancing in the premises while on duty. According to reports, he also took over Kamal Haasan's security detail this year.
AG Mourya will be contesting against Kalanidhi Veerasamy from DMK and R Mohanraj from DMDK in north Chennai.
Another prominent candidate on the list is MAS Subramanian who will be contesting from Puducherry. He was earlier the DMK convenor then later contested as an AIADMK member during Assembly Elections in the Union Territory in 2016.
When asked if he will contest from Ramanathapuram district, where he hails from, Kamal told the media, "All speculations of me contesting will be out to rest on March 24. Yes, I wish to contest in the elections but my partymen need to tell me that. I need to take their advice."
Kamal Haasan however is expected to announce his candidature in the next list along with the names of actor Kovai Sarala and Sripriya. Other than these above mentioned candidates, the party has named businessmen, doctors and lawyers in the list.