Kamal Haasan Takes Rajya Sabha Oath, Embarks on National Political Role

New Delhi: Actor, filmmaker, and Tamil Nadu politician Kamal Haasan officially entered the national political stage on Friday by taking oath as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. Speaking in Tamil, Haasan pledged, “As an Indian, I will do my duty,” reaffirming both his cultural identity and his commitment to public service.

The development marks a major step forward in Haasan’s political career, which began in 2018 with the launch of his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). Initially positioned as a centrist alternative to the dominant DMK and AIADMK, MNM campaigned on promises of clean governance and decentralised leadership.

Haasan’s political debut was met with public enthusiasm, especially among urban voters. In the 2019 general elections, MNM contested 37 Lok Sabha seats but failed to win any, though it managed to register a visible presence in select urban pockets. The 2021 Assembly elections saw Haasan contest from Coimbatore South, where he narrowly lost to the BJP’s Vanathi Srinivasan. Despite the loss, the party secured 2.6% of the statewide vote.

Facing limited electoral traction, Haasan gradually shifted from ideological independence to coalition politics. Ahead of the 2024 general elections, MNM joined hands with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, choosing collaboration over isolation. The alliance went on to sweep all 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state, with MNM’s support acknowledged as a strategic boost.

As part of the alliance’s post-election understanding, Haasan was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, a move backed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and senior leaders. He was elected unopposed on June 12, opting for an Upper House seat rather than contesting directly for the Lok Sabha. Haasan cited national responsibility as the reason for this choice, stating it would give him a wider platform to raise key public issues.

The government has indicated that Haasan’s presence in Parliament is not just symbolic but intended to bring fresh perspectives and strengthen the coalition’s voice at the national level. Political observers see his entry into the Rajya Sabha as a strategic elevation that provides MNM with relevance in national discourse while keeping its long-term state-level ambitions alive.

During MNM’s eighth anniversary earlier this year, Haasan had hinted at a national breakthrough, declaring: “This year, our voice will be heard in Parliament. Next year, your voice will be heard in the State Assembly.” His entry into Parliament now marks the beginning of that vision—one that seeks to combine cinematic charisma with political credibility.