Actor-turned-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan is set to take the oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in his political career.
Speaking ahead of the swearing-in, Haasan said, “I am going to take the oath and register my name in Delhi today. I am going to fulfil this duty with the honour given to me as an Indian.”
This marks Haasan’s first entry into the national legislature, following his nomination to the Upper House backed by the DMK-led INDIA alliance. MNM had extended its support to the alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, opting not to contest.
Kamal Haasan filed his nomination on June 6 at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and alliance leaders including VCK’s Thol. Thirumavalavan, MDMK’s Vaiko, and TN Congress chief Selvaperunthagai.
With 158 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, the DMK-led alliance was well-positioned to secure four of the six Rajya Sabha seats up for election. MNM’s support helped solidify the bloc’s candidate list.
On June 12, Haasan and five others were elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha. The other winners include DMK’s Poet Salma (A Rokkaiah Malik), SR Sivalingam, senior advocate P Wilson (re-elected for a second term), and AIADMK leaders IS Inbadurai and Dhanapal.
Haasan received his election certificate from Returning Officer Subramani at the Chennai Secretariat in the presence of key alliance leaders and Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Haasan’s elevation to the Rajya Sabha is being seen as both a political reward for MNM’s support and an opportunity for the actor-politician to build his presence on the national stage.