Kamal Haasan Makes Parliamentary Debut in Rajya Sabha, Takes Oath in Tamil
Veteran actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan marked a significant milestone in his political journey on Friday, as he took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. The 69-year-old Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder took his oath in Tamil, receiving enthusiastic applause and table thumps from fellow Parliamentarians. Haasan was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on June 12, backed by the DMK-led alliance, of which his party is now a key part. Ahead of the swearing-in, he stated, “I am going to take the oath and register my name in Delhi today. I am going to fulfil this duty with honour given to me as an Indian.” In a conversation a day before the ceremony, Haasan expressed both honour and responsibility. “I know I’ve to do a lot. Something is expected of me — I hope I live up to those expectations. I’ll try my best to be honest, earnest and speak for Tamil Nadu and India,” he said. Political Journey So Far Kamal Haasan launched Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2017, focusing on anti-corruption, rural upliftment, and environmental sustainability. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, MNM secured nearly 4% of the vote share across Tamil Nadu. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Haasan contested from Coimbatore South but narrowly lost to BJP’s Vanathi Srinivasan. The party did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, choosing instead to support the DMK, which it described as the “need of the hour.” Following DMK’s victory, several of Haasan’s policy ideas — including direct benefit transfers to women — were adopted. The Rs 1,000 monthly assistance scheme for eligible women heads of households is now a flagship program in Tamil Nadu. Looking Ahead With Haasan now a Rajya Sabha MP, the MNM is expected to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections as part of the DMK-led alliance. His presence in Parliament is expected to amplify southern regional issues and provide a strong voice on national governance, federalism, and transparency. Kamal Haasan’s transition from cinema icon to a national lawmaker marks a new chapter in his public life — one that merges his grassroots political ambitions with legislative responsibility on the national stage.
