Tamil Nadu will vote out DMK, AIADMK, elect Kamal Haasan: Arvind Kejriwal

MADURAI: Needling the DMK and AIADMK in their bastion by calling them “corrupt”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a passionate plea to people of Tamil Nadu to “break the record of Delhi” by voting Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam to power in the next elections like his AAP stormed to power in national capital within two years of formation.

Admiring “real life hero” Kamal's courage in speaking against injustice and communal forces in the country, Kejriwal virtually kicked off the campaign for the actor's new party by asking the people to choose between “corrupt DMK and AIADMK” and “honest Kamal Haasan.” Addressing the large gathering at the launch of Kamal's new political party, Kejriwal spoke of his experiences in Delhi as Chief Minister after his AAP was bestowed with a historic mandate - winning 67 of total 70 seats - in 2015 assembly elections and the transformation his government has been able to bring about in the national capital.

“We have been in power for the past three years. If you have honest government, everything is possible. There is no dearth of money in the government; there is only dearth of good intentions. In just three years, there is complete transformation in health, transport and other sectors in Delhi,” Kejriwal told the rally. Kamal's “intellectual companion” and Kerala Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan, who wished luck to the actor through a video played at the venue, hailed the actor as a “unifying force” between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

“Tamil Nadu is famous for many political and reformist movements which has had a telling effect on Kerala as well. I am sure Kamal Haasan's political launch will enrich the political arena of Tamil Nadu. I am sure he will work towards ensuring a secular, democratic and pluralistic society where voices of all sections of the society are heard,” Vijayan said. Dwelling on Tamil Nadu politics, Kejriwal did not mince words in calling the two major parties - DMK and AIADMK - dominating the state politics for five decades as corrupt.

“I also congratulate the people of Tamil Nadu stuck between two parties - practically the DMK and AIADMK. Both parties are corrupt. Here is an honest political alternative and next time you go to vote - you can vote for an honest party and you can vote for Kamal Haasan ji,” Kejriwal said. “The kind of response and so much of energy and hope that I see, I am hopeful that Tamil Nadu will break the record of people of Delhi. People of Tamil Nadu are ready to throw out DMK and AIADMK and bring Kamal Haasan ji to power. If you want corruption, go and vote for DMK or AIADMK. If you want schools, vote for Kamal Haasan,” Kejriwal said. The AAP leader said Delhi started this trend of voting new and honest political alternatives and “now Tamil Nadu has the chance of breaking the record of Delhi.”