AIADMK organ to be launched on Jaya’s birth anniversary

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu will launch its official mouthpiece on February 24, coinciding with the 70th birth anniversary of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. A life-sized statue of Jayalalithaa will also be installed at the party headquarters on that day, a party release here said. Titled ‘Namathu Ammma’, the Tamil daily comes in the wake of the party lacking its own media. AIADMK coordinators Panneerselvam and Palaniswami will unveil the statue as well.

Actor Kamal Haasan launched himself into politics on Wednesday with a visit to late APJ Abdul Kalam’s residence at Rameswaram to pay homage to the ‘people’s President’.

All the trappings of the film world – music, dance, emotions, drama and dialogues - were on display as Kamal Haasan began his political journey with a breakfast meeting with the family of Kalam at his humble home.

The actor said he was inspired by the simplicity and humble lifestyle of Kalam. “Greatness can come from simple beginnings,” he said and later tweeted, “glad to start my journey from a great man’s simple abode.”

In another tweet, he released the name of his political party — Makkal Needhi Maiam, or People’s Justice Party.

The former President’s family welcomed the superstar and wished him well in his quest to develop Tamil Nadu to realise the dreams of Kalam.

“Kalam spoke of changing Tamil Nadu and wanted development of the state. We also want him to do that and wish him well. Like others, he too is welcome to our home,” said Saleem, a grandson of Kalam.

The actor also paid tribute to Kalam at his memorial at Peikarumbu in Rameswaram. At many places, traditional folk dancers and musicians added to the ambience of festivities normally associated with the release of a film. Only the occasion was different – launch of political journey of one of the state’s greatest actors.

Several flags in white with the Tamil Nadu map in black with the tag line “Naalai Namadhe” (Tomorrow is Ours) dotted Rameswaram and also the route Kamal Haasan’s motorcade took.

But Kamal Haasan’s posters with Abdul Kalam’s picture in them evoked a protest from the Hindu Munnani group which lodged a formal complaint with the Madurai collector saying no political leader should ‘misuse’ the name of the former President.

The superstar’s desire to visit and spend time with students of the school where Kalam studied could not be fulfilled as the school authorities refused permission. He did stop for a minute at the main gate of the school before resuming his journey and stopped at Ganesh Mahal where he spent a few minutes with waiting fisherfolk.

Visibly angry for the brief interaction, the fishermen gate crashed a media conference where Kamal Haasan tactfully allowed them to take centre stage and promised to get back to them later as he was pressed for time.

Along the way to Madurai,

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