After East India Company, a North India Company has to be fought: Kamal Haasan on BJP

Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan has said that like the British East India Company, there was a North India Company now that has to be fought, referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

His comments came while campaigning for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) -headed Secular Progressive Alliance candidate EVKS Elangovan ahead of the Erode East bye-poll scheduled on February 27.

“There was something called East India Company and we chased them out with a lot of effort. Now there is a North India Company, it has to be fought and I feel that this is the beginning of yet another struggle”, the actor-turned-politician said while addressing the public in Erode on Sunday.

Congress leader Elangovan is pitted against the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) KS Thennarasu while Seeman's Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) and actor Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) candidates are also in the fray.

"For the first time, I am seeking votes for another political party's symbol. This is not for any benefits, but because of the desire to save the nation from those who are trying to lease the country to some persons," Kamal said taking a jibe at BJP.

The actor added that he was also a 'grandson' of late rationalist leader EVR Periyar like Elangovan, the candidate and was following Periyar’s ideals “strictly.”

‘When I was making Vishwaroopam, I received a number of disturbances from a woman (an apparent reference to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa), but voluntarily Dr Kalaignar [former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi] called me and wanted to help me out. I appreciated the generosity of the DMK leader but I did not take his help", he said recalling the troubles faced while getting his movie Vishwaroopam screened during its release in 2013.

Lauding Karunanidhi's attitude while in power, the actor also praised theTamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin remarking that the latter was also generous in helping the people, especially women.

Congress candidate Elangovan is the father of former Erode East MLA E Thirumahan Everaa, whose recent demise necessitated the bye-poll.

Elangovan had earlier met Kamal and sought support following which MNM decided to back the former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president.

Everaa, the great grandnephew of rationalist leader Periyar EV Ramasamy, was elected as MLA from the constituency in 2021.