<ul><li><keyword id="6264434" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Makkal-Needhi-Maiam">Makkal Needhi Maiam</keyword> (MNM), headed by actor-turned-politician <keyword id="6354603" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="kamal-haasan">Kamal Haasan</keyword>, contested from 142 constituencies.</li><li>While Haasan has been in the lead since morning, he eventually lost to BJP candidate Vanathi Srinivasan by little less than 900 votes. </li><li>Haasan’s party won a vote share of 3.72% during the last Lok Sabha elections in 2019 but this time at has been much worse.</li></ul>Kamal Haasan's political gamble has failed to pay off one more time. Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) was leading in only one seat, Coimbatore South, where Haasan himself is the candidate. However, by the end of the counting, that was lost too. Vanathi Srinivasan from <keyword id="58687" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Janata-Party">Bharatiya Janata Party</keyword> (BJP), who is also the national head of the saffron party's women's wing, has won Coimbatore South by a margin of little less 900 votes, according to Electin Commission data at 9:30 pm. After registering a new regional political party in <keyword id="20154" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> named as Makkal Needhi Maiam in February, 2018, the actor-cum-producer Kamal Haasan made a debut in the Lok Sabha election campaign of 2019, for the first time. Haasan did not contest, though. This time, for the state Assembly polls, he has taken a bet on himself. While pollsters never gave the party a winning chance in any constituency, Haasan himself was hoping to send as many candidates as possible to the new legislative assembly that will form post elections. However, not a single candidate from the party or the alliance managed to win. Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2021 <keyword id="6372146" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="assembly-elections">assembly elections</keyword> The election commission has allotted the symbol of ‘torchlight’ for the party and the party’s abbreviated name reads as MNM. Haasan has joined hands with four other smaller parties to face the election. As per the terms of the alliance, the brigade has assumed the name Makkalin Mudhal Kootani and contested from 227 constituencies. Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), headed by Haasan, contested from 142 constituencies. Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK) founded by T.R. Paarivendhar faced the electorate from 40 constituencies. All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) under the leadership of actor <keyword id="1589629" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="R-Sarathkumar">R. Sarathkumar</keyword> fought from 33 seats. Tamilaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi (TMJK) led by K.M. Shareef faced the elections in 9 seats and Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) headed by H.D. Deva Gowda contested from 3 constituencies. Key persons of the party facing elections Dr. Mahendran contested from Singanallur constituency. Dr. Santhosh Babu, a former Indian Administrative Service (<keyword id="46130" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAS">IAS</keyword>) officer was fielded from the Velachery constituency. He faced AIADMK and Congress representatives in these seats. Actor Sripriya fought from Mylapore, locking horns with T. Velu of the DMK and former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and incumbent R. Natraj of the AIADMK party. Senior politician Pazha. Karuppiah fought from T. Nagar constituency. However, none of the other party members or the alliance members were able to make a mark in the election. MNM’s performance in last Lok Sabha elections Haasan’s party won a vote share of 3.72% during the last Lok sabha elections. This feat was achieved only when the party was just 14 months old. This achievement was said to have ensued from Kamal’s popularity among a sizeable segment of the urban voters. In Coimbatore, his party candidate R.Mahendran bagged 1.45 lakh votes. Hassan’s party secured over 1 lakh votes in three of the four seats in Chennai. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/exclusive-asus-rog-flow-x13-companys-portable-2-in-1-gaming-laptop-will-launch-in-india-on-may-12/articleshow/82322142.cms">Exclusive: Asus ROG Flow X13 — company’s portable 2-in-1 gaming laptop will launch in India on May 12</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-live-is-now-a-clubhouse-competitor-with-options-to-mute-and-turn-off-the-video/articleshow/82323741.cms">Instagram Live is now a Clubhouse competitor, with options to mute and turn off the video</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-vaccines-may-take-up-to-5-months-to-reach-private-centres-governments-say-slots-for-all-adults-may-open-only-after-2-3-weeks/articleshow/82326681.cms">COVID vaccines may take up to 5 months to reach private centres — governments say slots for all adults may open only after 2-3 weeks</a>

Kamal Haasan has lost to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan by a narrow margin ⁠— his party is out on a duck

Actor politician Kamal Haasan-led <keyword id="6264434" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Makkal-Needhi-Maiam">Makkal Needhi Maiam</keyword> has finalised a seat sharing pact with two of its allies for the April 6 Assembly polls and it is set to contest from 154 segments out of the 234 constituencies. MNM inked an agreement with actor-politician <keyword id="375764" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sarathkumar">Sarathkumar</keyword>'s All India Samathuva Makhal Katchi and Indiya Jananayaka Katchi to jointly fight the polls. According to the understanding reached here late last night, AISMK and IJK would contest from 40 seats each. The primary goal was to contest polls in alliance with a "promise for change and emerge victorious to form the government," the agreement said. The parties have committed to the common goal of transforming Tamil Nadu by fulfilling the long pending aspirations of the people, the pact said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/ola-loses-another-founding-member-as-pranay-jivrajka-leaves-the-ride-hailing-giant/articleshow/81404690.cms">Ola loses another founding member as Pranay Jivrajka leaves the ride-hailing giant</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/moto-g30-review-a-decent-budget-phone-with-a-bloat-free-user-experience/articleshow/81407278.cms">Moto G30 review – a decent budget phone with a bloat-free user experience</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/gold-prices-are-falling-and-the-worlds-biggest-market-for-the-yellow-metal-is-hoping-for-more-shoppers/articleshow/81406658.cms">Gold prices are falling and the world’s biggest market for the yellow metal is hoping for more shoppers</a>

Kamal Haasan's party  set to contest from 154 Assembly segments out of 234 constituencies

BJP's <keyword id="239882" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Annamalai">Annamalai</keyword>, a former IAS officer, loses to DMK's R Elango in Aravakurichi by 24816 votes Before plunging into elections for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Annamalai has projected quite a few of his avatars in social media. Relinquishing his renowned career as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Annamalai showed his interest in renewing traditional agriculture in the state. He is the founder of the social movement ‘We The Leaders,’ which originated from Aravakurichi, in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. Annamalai in the election scene Totally in alignment to his wishes, BJP fielded him in Aravakurichi for the 2021 Tamil Nadu state assembly elections. Annamalai faced a strategic competition in the seat with a list of powerful candidates lined up against him. Fighting against him were names like Elango R fielded by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Mohammed Haneef Shahil representing the Makkal Needhi Maiam(MNM), and Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam’s (AMMK) candidate PSN Thangavel. However, political experts say that the real competition in this seat is only between Annamalai and DMK’s Elango. DMK appears confident of benefiting from the votes of Muslims and the scheduled castes who make up a sizeable chunk of the constituency’s population. After the BJP successfully wooed Annamalai to represent the party in this constituency, he has been actively engaged in a war of words with the DMK leaders. Annamalai and Aravakurichi Long before stepping into politics, Annamalai has done a lot of ground work in the Aravakurichi constituency. There had also been talks that Annamalai could be the most preferred candidate for the party if Tamil superstar Rajinikanth would start his political party, which never happened. To get popular among the voters in the constituency, Annamalai has been organising a number of programmes, events and competitions in the constituency like rangoli contests and marathons. After joining the BJP, his popularity has surged even more with the locals. In the 2016 assembly elections, the polling was withheld in this constituency on complaints that the political parties heavily bribed the voters. In the election conducted subsequent to this, Senthil Balaji of AIADMK won from here. During the political feuds that took place in the AIADMK after former Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha’s demise, Senthil Balaji was disqualified as an MLA as he took sides with TTV Dhinakaran of the AMMK. Later on, he joined the DMK and faced the by-election in 2019 on behalf of the DMK, bagging a huge victory. This time, Annamalai is banking on the Modi wave ensuing from his BJP candidature and the reputation of AIADMK among the voters of this constituency. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/top-leading-candidates-from-key-constituencies-in-assam-assembly-election-result-2021/articleshow/82352859.cms">Top leading candidates from key constituencies in Assam Assembly election result 2021</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/in-tamil-nadu-ops-o-panneerselvam-aiadmk-confronts-the-toughest-battle-of-his-political-career/articleshow/82352774.cms">In Tamil Nadu, OPS confronts the toughest battle of his political career</a>

BJP's Annamalai, a former IAS officer, loses to DMK's R Elango in Aravakurichi

Chennai, Jun 5 () Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) President Kamal Haasan on Friday launched 'Naame Theervu' (We are the solution), a peoples' movement to help this city, one of the top COVID-19 hotspots in the country with over 18,000 cases. The initiative would address people's health issues, especially when they would step out of their houses post lockdown and aims to transform Chennai into a COVID-19-free safe zone. The veteran actor, who enrolled himself as the first member of the programme, which seeks the participation of Chennaiites, said the initiative would resurrect Chennai that nurtured the dreams of many people, including himself into a reality. "With your participation and people's contribution, we can seek a simple solution to every problem. This is putting into action the thought that has fuelled us through such tough times. We are creating an army of volunteers who will find solutions to people's problems," he said addressing reporters through a virtual press conference. About 25 to 30 doctors have been roped in for the initiative and more would join, Haasan said and appealed to NGOs and all like-minded persons to join his movement. Medical assistance, safety equipment, sanitisers, food and ration would be provided to those requiring them, he said. Sanitiser dispensers would be kept at places where people gather in large numbers and masks would be distributed to the people by the volunteers under the initiative. Noting that protecting people who step out of their houses after nearly 60-days lockdown was of paramount importance, he said, "This is a movement by the people and for the people for a better tomorrow. Chennai is known as medical capital, it should not become a capital for Coronavirus." "All of us have been fighting to save our world to turn green. And today we have another fight on our hands, to turn our city Chennai a different green. This is our initiative to change Chennai from red to a green, safe zone," he said. But for the selfless persons who provided essentials to the displaced during the lockdown, hunger and poverty would have claimed more lives than Coronavirus, he opined. Those having problems or wish to volunteer could contact on the dedicated phone number - 6369811111, he said. As of Thursday, Tamil Nadu has a total of 27,256 positive cases of Coronavirus, with Chennai accounting for the lion's share of infections with 18,693 people. COR SA ROH ROH

MNM launches people's movement to cater to COVID-19 hotspot Chennai

The Election Commission received nominations from 37 candidates for the single Lok Sabha Constituency in Puducherry, a union territory located within the borders of Tamil Nadu. Out of these papers, 19 were rejected due to several reasons during the scrutiny and the situation finds 18 people trying their luck in the upcoming elections. The top candidates from the union territory are V. Vaithilingam of the Congress, K. Narayanasamy of the AINRC, and M.A.S. Subramanian of Makkal Needhi Maiam. Some of the other candidates include B. Cowri (Naam Tamilar Katchi), K. Ravisankar (Puducherry Development Party) and S. Sridhar (Thamizhaga Vaazhvurumai Katchi). <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Constituency </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Current MP </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Polling Date </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Counting Date </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Congress Candidate Name </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">AINRC Candidate Name </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">MNM Candidate Name </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Puducherry </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">R. Radhakrishnan (AINRC) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">Apr-18 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">May-23 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">V Vaithilingam </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">K Narayanaswamy </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.7457385000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 2pt 0pt 2pt;">MAS Subramanian </td></tr></tbody></table>

Lok Sabha Elections 2019 candidate list for Puducherry

Chennai, Apr 13 () The Tamil Nadu government onMonday clarified it had not banned people from distributingfood to the needy during the ongoing lockdown but insistedthat all precautions such as social distancing should beduly followed.The government's clarification came a day after itfaced flak from opposition parties including the DMK, afterthe former had even warned of legal action against thosedeemed "violators" of the prohibitory orders in force toimplement the lockdown."It is being clarified the government only insisted thatvolunteers and other sevice organisations should work togetherwith the district administration and ensure (food) reaches theneedy with due precaution," an official relese here said.It had not issued any ban, the government added.It said leaders including DMK President M K Stalin hadclaimed the government had banned the volunteers from helpingthe poor, and claimed this was "far from truth."Incidentally, one of the 12 committees constituted byChief Minister K Palaniswami as part of the state's fightagainst COVID-19, all headed by IAS officials, was dealingwith such volunteers and service organisations and the workwas being coordinated properly.Over 2,500 institutions and 58,000 volunteers hadregistered with the government and working with the respectivedistrict administrations to provide relief to the aged,workers from Tamil Nadu as well as other states and thedifferently-abled, it said.They were duly following social distancing and otherrequired health precautions while providing assistance to theneedy, the release added."The government's intention is not to prevent help.Its stand is that considering the present situation, reliefassistance should be provided properly and safely," it said.On Sunday also the government urged such volunteersand others should work with the district administration, itsaid.Such restrictions on public movement had been imposedonly with the aim to prevent the spread of coronavirus andthat is why it was being insisted that the contributions couldbe given to the district collector or respective civic bodyofficials, it added.On Sunday, the state government had said individualsand organisations cannot distribute food to the needy in thestreets, saying it was a violation of the prohibitory ordersclamped to enforce the ongoing lockdown, a move opposed by theopposition DMK and Makkal Needhi Maiam.It said the very purpose of clamping Section 144 ofCr.Pc., which bars the assembly of more than five persons, wasto avoid crowding and ultimately prevent the spread of virus.DMK President M K Stalin had slammed the move, sayingwhoever had issued the order was "heartless" and wondered whysomeone wanting to help people should be dissuaded from doingso.MNM chief Kamal Haasan had also flayed it. SA

No ban on people distributing food to needy during lockdown, TN govt clarifies

The Tamil Nadu government will respond to <keyword id="2959488" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-new-national-education-policy">the New National Education Policy</keyword> (NEP) after a <keyword id="3880652" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="detailed-discussion">detailed discussion</keyword> with Chief Minister K Palaniswami on August 3, state school education minister K A Sengottaiyan said on Thursday. However, the ruling AIADMK's ally, the PMK, sought revision of the policy, by removing the "dangerous" aspects in the NEP and incorporating the proactive measures suggested by the 1964 Kothari Commission. Sengottaiyan told reporters in Erode that he would discuss the NEP with the chief minister. "We are awaiting the details... will discuss (the matter) with the chief minister," he said. NDA constituent PMK contended there were many positive aspects in the NEP, and numerous negative aspects as well. PMK youth wing leader <keyword id="6372434" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="anbumani-ramadoss">Anbumani Ramadoss</keyword> said the proposal of students in classes 3, 5 and 8 taking school examinations to be conducted by the appropriate authority was unwarranted. "Conducting exams for students in Class 3, will cause mental stress and specifically affect students coming from rural areas and lead to drop-outs. There should not be any board exams till class 8," the Rajya Sabha member said. As per the NEP, instead of exams being held every year, school students will sit only for three - at Classes 3, 5 and 8. Assessment in other years will shift to a "regular and formative" style that is more "competency-based, promotes learning and development and tests higher-order skills, such as analysis, critical thinking and conceptual clarity". Anbumani Ramadoss pointed out that the proposal on adopting a three-language policy was unacceptable and said though it was stated that the third language would be based on the student's choice, it appeared that only Sanskrit was given priority and it would lead to imposition of the language. The mandatory entrance exams for college and university admissions would affect students from the villages, he said and called for dropping the proposal. The suggestions of the public and his party had not been taken into account, he said but however welcomed the proposal on the medium of instruction. He also welcomed the announcement that 6 per cent of GDP would be spent on education and the proposal to introduce four-year undergraduate degrees with multiple entry and exit options and abolishment of M. Phil programme. Meanwhile, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam founder <keyword id="6354603" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="kamal-haasan">Kamal Haasan</keyword> tweeted, "Glad that Education is getting 6 per cent share of GDP in the new education policy." "The immediate focus and reforms needed are in the Healthcare sector now, which gets only 1 per cent of GDP on an average. This share has to be increased to 7-8 per cent if we want to grow as a healthy nation too," he said. MDMK founder and Rajya Sabha member Vaiko said that the NEP was "against pluralism and federal principles" and called for its review. It tried to give shape to "RSS' long term vision," he alleged. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mumbai-sero-surveillance-round-2-to-begin-from-august-10/articleshow/77257546.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Mumbai sero surveillance round 2 to begin from August 10</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/what-is-allowed-and-not-allowed-during-mumbai-pune-thane-and-other-maharashtra-cities-extended-lockdown-till-august-31/articleshow/77256238.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Maharashtra extends lockdown till August 31 — Here’s what’s allowed and what’s prohibited</a>

Tamil Nadu government to discuss National Education Policy on August 3

<ul><li>One of India's most-acclaimed film stars took the plunge into politics in early 2018 a year before the Parliamentary election in India.</li><li>In the last one year, he has been a regular in the Tamil version of the hit franchise Big Boss and started work on the sequel to Indian 2 is under production.</li><li>However, his annual revenue has fallen 20% and the annual profit after tax is down 25% in 2019 compared to a year earlier.</li></ul>One of India's most marquee personalities, Kamal Haasan, recently borrowed ₹25 crore (about $350 million) from a bank. In the process, much was revealed about his finances as his political venture is set to turn two soon. Kamal Haasan is one of India's most-acclaimed stars from the world of cinema who has three National Awards, movies in five different languages, and 59-year long career that is still waiting for the last movie. However, the prolific actor, writer, and director — whose Aalanvandhan <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/when-quentin-tarantino-was-inspired-by-kamal-haasan-5901680/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">inspired the Manga scene in Quentin Tarantino's classic Kill Bill</a> — is is only two years old as a politician. Haasan took the plunge into politics in early 2018 a year before the Parliamentary election in India. Even while prepping his new-born political outfit, Makkal Needhi Maiam, for the big fight in 2019, Haasan remained a regular in the Tamil version of the hit television franchise Big Boss — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/from-koffee-with-karan-to-big-boss-tamil-these-are-the-most-watched-indian-shows-on-hotstar-in-2019/articleshow/72467615.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">one of the most-watched shows on Hotstar</a> last year. That kept the money flowing in as well as put him in people's living rooms every week ahead of the election. However, the party didn't win a single seat in Tamil Nadu but Haasan and his comrades continue to soldier on with an eye on the upcoming state assembly election in 2021. Meanwhile, Haasan also started work on the sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Indian and the movie is currently under production. As it were, while he preached that people <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/dont-sell-your-future-says-kamal-haasan/article5804250.ece" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">should not sell their votes for cash</a>, his annual revenue fell 20% to ₹20 crore in 2019 and the annual profit after tax went down 25% to ₹9 crore in 2019, compared to a year earlier, according to a <a href="https://www.crisil.com/mnt/winshare/Ratings/RatingList/RatingDocs/Kamal_Haasan_January_10_2020_RR.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">ratings report</a> released by Crisil. While rating a fresh bank loan of ₹25 crore (about $350 million) that will be payable in September 2024, the ratings agency described Haasan as "proprietorship firm with interests in directing, acting, and producing mainly involved in Tamil film industry." As a propreitorship firm is not separate from the owner, by definition. So what does the future look like for Haasan? Cash accrual is expected at ₹7 crore to ₹8 crore in the 'medium term' (usually means longer than a year), according to Crisil. However, more than half of that amount will be needed to repay debt before March 2020. In November 2019, <a href="https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/bollywood-news/kamalhaasantheestimatednetworthofthechachi420actor.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Haasan's net worth was estimated </a>at $100 million (₹700 crore). But according to Crisil's latest report, his debt is 1.64 times his net worth. Forbes, while ranking him at 56 in the list of India's richest celebrities, estimated his earnings for 2019 at ₹34 crore. By that metric, Haasan's net worth will be about ₹15 crore, assuming there are no loans other than one mentioned in the report. Attempts to reach out to Crisil for clarification on the disparity failed. The story will be updated with Crisil's response, if any. The good news is that he makes 12 times more money every year than what is required to cover the interest. On the other hand, "volatility in profitability and revenue, inherent in the film industry, will continue to impact the firm, since the income is based on the ongoing films and other programmes," according to Crisil. SEE ALSO: 
 
 
 
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Kamal Haasan's ₹25 crore loan revealed a lot about his finances after nearly 2 years in politics

Chennai, Apr 6 () Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founderKamal Haasan on Monday flayed the BJP-led government at theCentre for its handling of the situation arising out ofCovid-19 pandemic, saying the "same mistake of demonetisationis being repeated, albeit at a much bigger scale."In an "open letter" to the Prime Minister, the actor-politician said Narendra Modi's "vision failed" vis-a-vis theongoing "ill-planned" lockdown and warned that the Centreshould not be a "balcony government", alluding to the middle-classes and the relatively well-off."While demonetisation led to loss of savings andlivelihood of the poorest, this ill-planned lockdown isleading us to a fatal combination of loss of both life andlivelihood," Haasan said in the strongly-worded letter.Modi had last month announced a 21-day lockdown tillApril 14, as part of the government's fight against the spreadof COVID19, while insisting on social distancing.Noting that the first confirmed coronavirus case wasreported on December 8, Haasan said the entire world knew itwas going to wreak havoc of an unprecedented kind.India's first case was reported on January 30, he said.He uploaded the letter on his Twitter page."We had seen what happened to Italy. Yet we did not learnour lessons early enough. When we eventually woke out of ourslumber, you ordered an entire nation of 1.4 billion people toshut down within four hours. A mere four hour notice periodfor people when you had a four month notice period," he said.Visionary leaders are the ones who work on solutions longbefore problems become big, he added.Recalling his earlier open letter to the PrimeMinister on March 23, Haasan said he had then pleaded for thewelfare of labourers and workers.However, the next day, the announcement "of a strict andimmediate lockdown, almost demonetisation style," was made."I was taken aback but I chose to trust you, my electedleader,the one we would like to believe knows best. I hadchosen to trust you even when you announced demonetisation buttime proved I was wrong. Time proved you too were wrong sir,"he said.He said the poor had nobody to look upto except Modi."On one hand you are asking the more privileged people toput up a spectacle of lights while on the other hand the poormans plight is itself becoming a shameful spectacle,"he said.While some people lit oil lamps in their balconies,thepoor were struggling to gather enough oil to bake their nextroti, Haasan said.Modi's last two addresses had him trying to calm thepeople which was necessary in these trying times but there wassomething more urgent as well as important than that,he noted.While COVID-19 will continue to find more victims, weare creating a fertile playground for Hunger(H), Exhaustion(E)and Deprivation(D) of the poor, Haasan said."HED'20 is a malady that is smaller in profile but fardeadlier compared to COVID-19. Its impact will be felt longafter COVID-19 has vanished," he said.Taking a dig at Modi for "unleashing a spiritedelection-style campaign idea," Haasan said "it seems you arecomfortable outsourcing responsible behaviour to the commonpeople and transparency to the state governments," he said."But I am a follower of Periyar and Gandhi and I knowthey were intellectuals first. Its the intellect that guidesone into choosing a path of righteousness, equality andprosperity for all," he said.Modi was the leader of 1.4 bn Indians and even hisnaysayers clapped and cheered for the health workers, Haasansaid, in an apparent reference to the earlier Janata Curfewwhere the Prime Minister had asked people to acknowledge thehealth workers' contribution."We will comply to your wishes and orders but ourcompliance must not be confused as our subjugation," he added.He also slammed "your system" for failing to stopcongregations of "ignorant and foolish people" in differentparts of the country, saying they have become the biggest hubsfor the spread of the epidemic in India.However, he did not name anybody. COR SA APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH

Kamal Hassan flays Modi govt for manner in which COVID-19 situation is being handled

<ul><li>More than half of the ‘precious metals’ seized in India have been confiscated in the state of <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword>. </li><li>Just one day before polls open in Tamil Nadu, 1,350 kilograms of gold were seized in the state’s Thiruvallur district.</li><li>In Vellore, one of Tamil Nadu’s constituencies, the elections have been cancelled because the ECI found that cash was being exchanged for votes.</li></ul>Votes in India are often sold— for drugs, money, gold, liquor and anything else that is up for grabs. In the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the gravity of the situation is exhibited by the fact that 1,350 kilograms of gold was <a href="https://twitter.com/umasudhir/status/1118535683931398144">seized</a> just one day before the polls were set to open on April 18 in Thiruvallur district. The southern state of Tamil Nadu is one of the worst when it comes to bribing voters. This time too it has topped the list of the highest amount of cash seizures in the country. Between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Income Tax Department, a total of ₹2.08 billion ($30 million) of cash, 215,000 litres and 1,667 kilograms of precious metals have been confiscated in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2019 elections so far. 
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 In 2017, the bypolls in RK Nagar after the death of J Jayalalithaa were cancelled because of politicians trying to buy votes. Even before that, in May 2016, the State Assembly polls were cancelled in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur — <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/months-after-elections-two-tn-seats-postponed-due-cash-votes-ec-announces-poll-dates-51526">marking</a> the first time that an election was cancelled in India because voters were being bribed. 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="Bribes from political parties to voters, in the form of cash, goods, or services, are a regular feature of elections in South India. Poor voters expect bribes from political candidates, and candidates find various ways to satisfy voter expectations." auname="Frederick J. Kaplan in a cable to the US State Department"></div>



 On April 1, officials from the Income Tax Department seized ₹110 million from the warehouse of a political worker where it was organised by ward to distribute among workers in Vellore, one of Tamil Nadu’s constituencies. The elections were subsequently <a href="https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9959-election-to-8-vellore-parliamentary-constituency-stands-rescinded-ecis-decision-based-on-reports-of-systematic-design-to-influence-voters-unearthed-during-income-tax-raids/">cancelled</a> because the ECI found that cash was being exchanged for votes. Allegedly, more than 91% of the money found was in denominations of ₹200 and source from one of the bank branches in the district. Coming election is an opportunity for you. Don't forget your duty to vote and do it ethically without selling it. Kamal Haasan while campaigning for MNM candidate, Sampath Ramadoss 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="Coming election is an opportunity for you. Don't forget your duty to vote and do it ethically without selling it." auname="Kamal Haasan while campaigning for MNM candidate, Sampath Ramadoss"></div>

 Kamal Haasan, an actor turned politician from the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party, has been urging voters to not sell their votes. However, he is only a small player and the dirty underbelly of India’s politics is much bigger. There is little evidence that voters are paying heed to his advice as the incidence of voter bribery continues to rise in the state. Even the opinion polls have <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/tamil-nadu/news/tamil-nadu-poll-survey-says-dmk-front-to-get-30-33-lok-sabha-seats/articleshow/68784727.cms">predicted</a> a landslide win to the coalition between Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress. MK Stalin, the DMK President, is pegged to be the most popular leader in the south Indian state. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/lok-sabha-elections-2019-second-phase-of-polling-in-tamil-nadu-voters-issues/articleshow/68930595.cms">Tamil Nadu’s angry voters have a small oil field, a big highway, a medical entrance test, and a police shootout in mind</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/election-2019-dmk-candidate-list-for-tamilnadu/articleshow/68917570.cms">Election 2019 DMK Candidate list for Tamil Nadu</a>

Over a ton of gold seized a day ahead of polls shows the depth of the rot in Tamil Nadu

(Eds: Adds details, combines related stories)Chennai, Apr 12 () Tamil Nadu on Sunday reported106 new cases of COVID-19 to take the overall tally past the1,000 mark, as one more person succumbed to the deadly virus,as the toll stood at 11. As many as eight doctors were affected with thevirus, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh told reporters here. With a focus on "aggressive testing", the governmenthas decided to coordinate with the private sector in thiseffort and would bear the expenses involved, she said.Of the 106 new cases, 16 had "inter-state travel"history and the remaining were their contacts, she said, evenas the cumulative number of positive cases climbed to 1,075.A 45-year old woman from the city was the latestvictim to the contagion and died at a government hospital onSaturday, nearly a week after she was admitted there. The death toll from the virus in Tamil Nadu nowstands at 11.Further, 50 people have been discharged so far.Among the new cases were eight doctors-- two each fromthe Railways and the state government, while the rest wereworking in the private sector, she added.Further, the government has stepped up testing and hasreceived approvals from the Centre to set up 23 facilities inthe state."We have got approvals from Government of India to setup 14 government labs and nine private labs", she said, addingJIPMER in Puducherry has been nominated as 'Mentor Lab' by theCentre.The government has now turned its focus on "aggressivetesting" and has decided to rope in the private sector also.Rajesh said the private sector has fixed a price fortesting the samples and that Chief Minister K Palaniswami hasannounced the government will bear all the expenses."Our strategy is aggressive testing now," she said.According to reports, private sector has fixed a rateof Rs 4,500 for testing a COVID-19 sample.On Sunday, 49 new cases of Severe Acute RespiratoryInfection (SARI) were reported, with two of them testingpositive for coronavirus, she said.Tirupur in the state recorded 35 new positive cases onSunday followed by Coimbatore (22) and Chennai with 18 cases.The state capital topped the number of cases with 199,followed by Coimbatore at 119.Rajesh said the government has recently launched aninteractive voice response system (IVRS) facility enablingcallers to know whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.Meanwhile in Tiruchirappalli, a 40-year old COVID-19positive patient was booked for "attempt to murder" after heallegedly spat on a doctor treating him at the governmenthospital.The patient admitted to the hospital's coronavirusward on Saturday also removed his mask and threw it at thedoctor, enraging the hospital staff and other patients.Ever since his admission in the ward, he has not beencooperating with the medical staff, police said.A report from Nagapattinam district stated that a 65-year old doctor, running a private clinic at Kadambadi in thedistrict has tested positive for the virus after his returnfrom the US three weeks back.The district administration has appealed to the peoplewho received treatment from him to come forward and subjectthemselves to medical examination.Meanwhile in Erode, a coronavirus positive woman hasgiven birth to a 'healthy' baby boy at a government medicalcollege hospital at nearby Perundurai, where she has beenundergoing treatment, officials said.A team of doctors carried out the ceasarean deliveryat the Perundurai IRT Government Medical College Hospital, adesignated facility for COVID-19 cases, on Saturday night.She is among the 14 women undergoing treatment at thehospital for coronavirus.The new born was 'healthy', officials said.Meanwhile, the state government said individuals andorganisations cannot distribute food to the needy in thestreets, saying it was a violation of the prohibitory ordersclamped to enforce the ongoing lockdown, a move opposed by theopposition DMK and Makkal Needhi Maiam."This (distribution of food in the open) will lead tospread of the disease (coronavirus)," an official releasesaid, adding volunteers, political parties and others wantingto help can make contributions with the district collector orheads of the respective civic bodies.The officials will distribute food by enforcing socialdistancing and all should cooperate, the government said,adding, those flouting the norms will be deemed violators andwill have to face legal action.It said the very purpose of clamping Section 144 ofCr.Pc., which bars the assembly of more than five persons, wasto avoid crowding and ultimately prevent the spread of virus.DMK President M K Stalin slammed the move, sayingwhoever had issued the order was "heartless" and wondered whysomeone wanting to help people should be dissuaded from doingso."Social distancing can be enforced by the police. Buthow can one order that food should not be provided to theaffected people," he said in a statement.It was an "autocratic" order, he alleged.MNM chief Kamal Haasan said while neighbouring stateswere getting the help of youth and the private sector, theTamil Nadu government was discouraging those who wanted tohelp the poor."This is no time for commission or omission," he saidin a tweet. CORR SSN VIJ SA SS

You Searched For "Makkal Needhi Maiam" and got 11 results

Kamal Haasan has lost to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan by a narrow margin ⁠— his party is out on a duck

BI India Bureau

Kamal Haasan's party set to contest from 154 Assembly segments out of 234 constituencies

PTI

BJP's Annamalai, a former IAS officer, loses to DMK's R Elango in Aravakurichi

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