MNM and I would contest Lok Sabha polls: Kamal Haasan

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan said on Saturday he and his party Makkal Needhi Maiam would contest all the 39 parliamentary seats in Tamil Nadu in the next year general election, but "would not align with those desperate to change the DNA" of the state.

Speaking to reporters after the party's executive committee meeting, Kamal Haasan said: "The party will contest in the Parliament elections. I will also contest. A committee will be formed to identify the contestants for forty seats (39 in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry)."

Queried about the parties with whom MNM would have an alliance, Haasan said: "The party will not align with those who are desperate to change the DNA of Tamil Nadu."

He did not rule out alliance talks with Congress.

Kamal Haasan said the party would decide on contesting in the bypolls for 20 assembly seats whenever these are announced.

He said he would announce the number of members his party has on January 31, adding the party has empowered him to decide on electoral alliances.

When asked whether he would lead the alliance or was open to work under someone's leadership, he said that depended on the stature of the alliance partner.

--IANS

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