Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan is set to take his oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha on July 25. His election to the Upper House last month was secured with the crucial support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.
Haasan was one of four candidates put forward by the ruling alliance for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections, which took place in June. Alongside the veteran actor and politician, the DMK had nominated incumbent MP P. Wilson, a former Additional Advocate General, as well as renowned poet and writer Rajathi alias Salma, and SR Sivalingam. All four candidates from the DMK-led alliance were elected unopposed, underscoring the alliance’s strong majority in the state assembly.
From the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), former Members of Parliament IS Inbadurai and M Dhanapal were also elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha.
This election marks a significant milestone for the Makkal Needhi Maiam, as it will be the first time a representative from the party enters the Rajya Sabha since its inception. The MNM, in an official statement released from its headquarters on Monday, confirmed the date of Haasan’s swearing-in, setting the stage for his parliamentary debut.
Kamal Haasan’s entry into the Rajya Sabha is expected to bring a new voice to national legislative discussions, given his stature as a cultural icon and his stated commitment to progressive politics. His presence will also bolster the representation of the DMK-led alliance in the Upper House.