Kamal Haasan launches his political party: As it happened

Superstar Kamal Haasan's is set to begin his journey on Wednesday as he is likely to launch his political party in Madurai. In an action-packed event, which will be attended by top political leaders and public figures, the actor who has made a mark in Tamil as well as Indian film industry, will announce his party's ideologies, apart from revealing party's name and flag.

Pic courtesy: Twitter/@maiamofficial

Madurai: Actor Kamal Haasan on Wednesday launched his political party, naming it "Makkal Needhi Mayyam," and unveiled its flag that symbolises the strength of unity.

"I am not your leader, I am your tool... This gathering is full of leaders," he said moments before announcing the party's name that roughly translates to "Centre for People's Justice."

The party flag was unveiled just before Haasan announced the name of his party with a brief pause heightening the dramatic effect as the huge crowd roared its approval.

Citing a Tamil proverb of 'Oru Soru,' which means a small example of a whole lot, he said the launch was just the first step for 'makkal atchi,' (people's rule).

Clad in a white shirt and black trousers, a smiling Haasan arrived on the stage showing the thumbs up sign to his fans who had arrived in large numbers to announce the party name.

21 February 2018

20:57 IST

People ask me what is this 'Maiam' and if I am left or right? That is why I kept the name 'Maiam', which means centre. Six hands in my party symbol represent six states, star in the middle represents people, says Haasan. 

20:57 IST

People ask about my ideology, here it is -good quality education must reach all,  and religious games played on us must be stopped.corruption has to be eradicated, says Haasan.

20:34 IST

I want to congratulate @ikamalhaasan ji and his entire team for starting this political alternative. But more than that I want to congratulate people of Tamilnadu. - @ArvindKejriwal#KamalPartyLaunch pic.twitter.com/7vMV7hb4PO

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 21, 2018

20:34 IST

People of Delhi rejected both BJP and Congress and gave us 67 seats, the kind of response I am seeing here I am sure people of Tamil Nadu will break the record of people of Delhi, says Arvind Kejriwal in Madurai.

Friends, if you want corruption go vote for DMK and AIDMK, if you want schools, hospitals, water, electricity vote for Kamal Haasan, he adds. 

20:33 IST

I really admire him for the courage he has shown in the last few years, says Kejriwal. 

20:30 IST

I am standing here not because he (Haasan) is a great film actor but because he is a real-life hero, says Kejriwal. 

20:22 IST

I want to congratulate Kamal Haasan and his team for starting this political alternative, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Madurai.

20:21 IST

1/1 Wishing my dear father all the success on his first step of a million more toward change and political reform - to quote your favourite mahatma Gandhi “be the change you wish to see in the world “ I’m certain your determination and perseverance toward truth and justice cont’d

— shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) February 21, 2018

1/2 we have witnessed in our family ,will now be seen by everyone in our wonderful home of Tamil Nadu

— shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) February 21, 2018

20:11 IST

The leader of Makkal Needhi Maiam, a party with the people at it's core!
Join us at https://t.co/s6zHqHUNdQ #MakkalNeedhiMaiam #maiam #isupportkamal pic.twitter.com/NNH99IeDgG

— Makkal Needhi Maiam (@maiamofficial) February 21, 2018

19:49 IST

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Tamil Nadu incharge Somnath Bharti at the launch of Kamal Haasan's political party in Madurai. #KamalPartyLaunch pic.twitter.com/i5U9OFHnMq

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018

19:48 IST

I will be seeking your suggestion rather than giving you speeches, Haasan tells the gathering.

19:48 IST

I will be seeking your suggestion rather than giving you speeches, Haasan tells the gathering.

19:45 IST

The actor also unfurled the flag of the new party, which featured hands holding each other.

19:44 IST

We are going to create a people’s government, says Haasan in Madurai. 

19:44 IST

We are going to create a people’s government, says Haasan in Madurai. 

19:43 IST

The newly founded MAKKAL NEEDHI MAIAM is your party. It’s here to stay, and to make the change we all aspire for. Guide us to serve you. #maiam #makkalneedhimaiam
official website: https://t.co/cql8kgqGkk
fb: https://t.co/2Gz1xRg5vf
twitter: https://t.co/J9ywXrunOb pic.twitter.com/Xza62w4DcC

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 21, 2018

19:43 IST

The newly founded MAKKAL NEEDHI MAIAM is your party. It’s here to stay, and to make the change we all aspire for. Guide us to serve you. #maiam #makkalneedhimaiam
official website: https://t.co/cql8kgqGkk
fb: https://t.co/2Gz1xRg5vf
twitter: https://t.co/J9ywXrunOb pic.twitter.com/Xza62w4DcC

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 21, 2018

19:40 IST

Kamal Haasan launches his party, names it - Makkal Needhi Maiam (People's Justice Party).

09:57 IST

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to attend the launch event of Kamal Haasan's political party in Madurai.

09:35 IST

Kamal Haasan visited the residence of late president Abdul Kalam ahead of the launch of his party.

09:34 IST

Kamal Haasan addresses supporters in Rameswaram, meets members of fisherman community, as he starts his state-wide tour ahead of political party launch.