Kamal Haasan begins his political journey from House of Abdul Kalam'

Rameswaram: Veteran actor Kamal Haasan formally began his political journey from the house of late President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, here on Wednesday morning.The actor-turned-politician was received by Dr.Kalam’s grand-nephew A.P.J.Sheik Saleem, when he arrived at the “House of Kalam” at 0745 hrs. He received the blessings from Dr.Kalam’s centenarian elder brother A.P.J.Mohammed Muthu Meeran Maraikayar and briefly interacted with his family members.

“Greatness can come from simple beginnings. Actually, it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man’s (Dr.Kalam) simple abode,” tweeted Mr.Kamal Haasan after interacting with Dr.Kalam’s family members.

The actor cancelled his plan to visit “No 1 Mandapam Panchayat Union Middle School,” the alma mater of Dr.Kalam near Rameswaram, after the district administration denied permission to him. The Ramanathapuram district unit of the Hindu Munnani, which strongly opposed to actors and politicians using the school as a political platform, submitted a petition to the district collector on Tuesday seeking to deny permission to the actor to visit the school.

He also interacted with the fisher folk in Rameswaram and heard their grievances. Addressing the fishermen, Mr.Kamal Haasan said fishing is one of the most important livelihood options in Tamil Nadu and that’s why I have come to visit you. I want to understand your problems and take it forward. Different governments have made different promises and then when people ask why the promises were not met, they bring different problems in front of them, he said.

“I will be with you (fishermen) and support you. There is a need to re-discuss International treaties. Your questions cannot be answered with violence,” he added.Later, talking to newsmen, Mr.Kamal Haasan said “there is no politics on his visit to Dr.Kalam’s house. Similarly, there is no politics on his plan to visit the school, where Dr.Kalam had studied at Mandapam.” I was denied permission to visit the school. But, no one could prevent me from learning lesson, he added.

Mr.Kamal Haasan paid his homage at the burial site of Dr.Kalam at Pei Karumbu in Rameswaram and visited “Dr.A.P.J.Abdul kalam National Memorial.”After leaving Rameswaram, the actor would address a series of public meetings at Ramanathapuram Palace, Paramakudi and Manamadurai. He will launch his political party and would hoist the party flag at Madurai this evening. He will also address a public meeting and explain his party ideology. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will attend the party inaugural function.

Meanwhile, former Aam Aadmi Party leader and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan conveyed his wishes to Mr.Kamal Haasan for floating a new party. “All the best to Kamal Haasan who has finally taken the plunge into Tamil Nadu politics. No doubts he is doing it with intention of improving public life in Tamil Nadu, which desperately needs something far better than what DMK, AIADMK, Congress and BJP have to offer. He will need expert advice on policy, he tweeted.

Prominent cricketer R.Ashwin also tweeted “A day where another superstar actor from Tamil Nadu launches his political party this evening. The political landscape is set for a massive change? (UNI)