Actor Vishal Krishna, on the occasion of his birthday, celebrated the success of his film Irumbu Thirai that completed 100 days. But the buzz at the success meet was that the actor-producer will make some sort of an announcement regarding his political career which he has been hinting at for some time.
Following in the steps of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, he announced that his fan clubs will be brought under one umbrella – the Makkal Nala Iyakkam, which will also serve as a welfare association. The inspiration must have come from Kamal and Rajini, who have been mobilising political support through their associations, Kamal Narpani Iyakkam and Rajini Makkal Mandram respectively, formed a while ago.
Also on Wednesday at Chennai’s Kalaivanar Arangam, Vishal unveiled the flag representing the Makkal Nala Iyakkam. The flag has his image embossed on it in the centre and comes with the tag lines, Ani Servom (Let us come together) and Anbai Vidhaipom (Let us sow the seeds of love). The flag also had the images of Mother Theresa on one corner and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on opposite corner. It also had words like Vivegam (Prudence) Vithyasam (Difference) and Vida Muyarchi (Determination) written on it.
வீதியில் நடப்பதை பார்த்துவிட்டு சும்மா இருக்க முடியாது, சும்மா இருந்தால் பிணத்துக்கு சமம் – மக்கள் நல இயக்கம் என்ற புதிய அமைப்பை தொடங்கிய விஷால் பேச்சு #Vishal pic.twitter.com/Mf6aIECfp0
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) August 29, 2018
Speaking at the event, Vishal said that the organisation will function more as a welfare association than a political party. He said, “We can’t remain silent after seeing what is happening around us. Politics is for solving people’s problems, but it has turned into a business now. Anyone who wants to do good can come into politics and anyone who thinks of doing good should become the Chief Minister. No official announcement has been made on the by-election in Thiruparankundram constituency of Madurai district, but there will be an election soon and I will contest it.” The Assembly seat became vacant following the death of AIADMK MLA AK Bose on August 2. M Karunanidhi’s Assembly seat in Thiruvarur is also vacant.
Earlier in December last year, the actor had announced his intention of contesting the R.K. Nagar bypolls, left vacant after the death of J Jayalalithaa. However, his nomination papers were rejected by the Returning Officer, on the grounds that the names of the proposers were incorrect. Despite him staging a dharna and calling the incident “a sad day for democracy”, his nomination was not accepted.
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Since then, Vishal, who is also the president of the Tamil Film Producers Council and general secretary of the Nadigar Sangam, has been making political statements, hinting that he will return to politics when the opportunity presents itself. He wrote an open letter to the Tamil Nadu government drawing attention to the plight of the Kanyakumari fishermen, he also petitioned the state government and the MLA from RK Nagar, TTV Dhinakaran to shut down a few wine shops in the RK Nagar constituency. He has been making statements on relevant issues like the Sterlite protests, formation of the Cauvery Water Management board.
Meanwhile, his acting career is going on in full swing. He is awaiting the release of Sandakozhi 2, directed by N. Linguswamy and starring Keerthy Suresh, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Rajkiran. He will also be starring in the remake of the Telugu hit Temper.