Kamal Haasan sworn in as Rajya Sabha MP: MNM chief takes oath in Tamil; receives table-thumping cheer from Parliamentarians | Chennai News
NEW DELHI: Superstar Kamal Haasan took oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on Friday. The veteran actor delivered his oath in Tamil, receiving enthusiastic table thumps from fellow Parliamentarians in response.Expressing his joy on this political milestone, the Thug Life actor said he was honoured to serve in the Upper House.The 69-year-old Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder and actor-turned-politician talking to mediapersons outside the parliament earlier actor said, “I am very proud and honoured.”Kamal Haasan’s entry into the Rajya Sabha marks a major step in his political career, as he takes on a national legislative role for the first time.He was nominated to the Upper House with the backing of the ruling DMK-led alliance, which had pledged him a seat in return for Makkal Needhi Maiam’s (MNM) support during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.Haasan filed his nomination on June 6 at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, joined by chief minister MK Stalin, deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and alliance leaders including VCK’s Thol. Thirumavalavan, MDMK’s Vaiko, and Tamil Nadu Congress chief Selvaperunthagai.In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, a candidate needs at least 34 votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat.With 158 MLAs under its INDIA bloc (DMK-133, Congress-17, VCK-4, CPI-2, CPM-2), the alliance was well-positioned to secure four of the available seats.Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, choosing instead to extend full support to the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.In the 2021 Assembly elections, MNM had secured 2.62% of the vote share.On June 12, MNM president Kamal Haasan and five others were elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. They received their election certificates from Returning Officer Subram at the Chennai Secretariat.The other elected members include DMK’s Poet Salma (A Rokkaiah Malik), SR Sivalingam, and P Wilson (re-elected for a second term), as well as AIADMK’s IS Inbadurai and Dhanapal.Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and several MPs were present during the certificate distribution ceremony.(With inputs from agencies)
