Kejriwal meets Kamal Haasan: A new front on the cards?

By Saarthak Anand

Tamil Nadu superstar Kamal Haasan continued further on his “political learning curve” as he met Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Chennai on 21 September. Remarking that he and Kejriwal are “like-minded” individuals, Haasan said that he will “seek his (Kejriwal’s) advice on various issues.” The Delhi CM, on his part, commented that the hour-long meeting may be the “beginning of a movement of anti-corruption and anti-communalism”, and that the actor should enter politics.

What could be the motivation?

The meeting happened amidst speculation that Haasan might float a new political party.

Over the past few months, it has become increasingly clear that the 62-year-old actor is considering a political career. He has been vocal in his criticism of the Tamil Nadu’s ruling party AIADMK on various issues. He had also met Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan earlier this month and had shared the stage with DMK leaders during an event in the state’s capital in August.

The recent meeting was not the first time that the two had met. Haasan had interacted with Kejriwal at the Delhi Secretariat soon after the AAP’s victory in the 2015 Assembly elections. The two have remained in touch since.

Kejriwal was accompanied by his trusted lieutenants Somnath Bharti and Ashutosh, as well as AAP’s Tamil Nadu in-charge Sanjay Singh in the latest meet. They were received by Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara at the airport and taken to his ancestral house in Alwarpet.

Did it deliver a promising outcome?

At a press conference following the meeting,  the two public figures heaped praise on each other. Kejriwal lauded Haasan, saying that “I am happy to learn that there are so people who are staunchly against communalism. However, there are very few who have the courage to stick their neck out against the communal forces. Haasan Ji is one such person.” Haasan remarked that he was “honoured that Kejriwal decided to visit my house”. Underlining the political importance of the interaction, he said,”The purpose is singular – anti-corruption.  We had a dialogue on existing political situation. It was a learning curve for me.”

Speculation has been rife about Haasan’s choice of platform to launch his political career. He had praised Kerala’s Communist Party of India(Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front government of “good governance”.

Recently, when asked whether he would join the Bharatiya Janata Party, the actor said that “saffron is not my colour”.

Where does the future lie?

Tamil Nadu politics’ tryst with cinema is no secret. Actors like M.G Ramachandran, J. Jayalalithaa, and Vijayakanth made forays into politics on the back of successful careers in the film industry. Following Jayalalithaa’s death and the ensuing turmoil in the AIADMK, a huge political vacuum appears to have been created. Kamal Haasan’s plunge into politics, if it happens soon, would be a perfectly timed one. The actor knows as much. In an interview following the meeting with Kejriwal to India Today, he declared that he was indeed willing to don the “Neta’s cap”.

The Delhi CM and his party offer  Kamal Haasan the opportunity to benefit from their anti-corruption stance. AAP, in turn, can capitalise on the popular actor’s strong support-base in the state in order to expand its political footprint.  While it presently has a negligible presence in the state, Tamil Nadu can serve as the launchpad for AAP to create a formidable national coalition against the BJP-led Centre.   

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