Parliament Monsoon Session 2025: Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party leader Kamal Haasan officially began his parliamentary journey today (25 July), taking oath as a Rajya Sabha Member in Tamil.
Ahead of the ceremony, Haasan stated, “I am going to register my name. I will do my duty as an Indian.” This marks a major milestone in his political career, placing him in a national legislative role for the first time.
Visibly emotional and proud, the 69-year-old spoke to reporters outside Parliament, saying, “I am very proud and honored.”
Haasan backed by DMK-led alliance
Haasan was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in June with the backing of the DMK-led INDIA bloc. The alliance, which includes the DMK, Congress, VCK, CPI and CPM, had promised him a seat in return for MNM’s support during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, 34 votes are required to win a Rajya Sabha seat. The INDIA bloc, with 158 MLAs, was comfortably placed to ensure Haasan’s victory.
He filed his nomination papers on 6 June at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, joined by Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and other senior alliance leaders including VCK’s Thol. Thirumavalavan and MDMK’s Vaiko.
Swearing-in ceremony
On 12 June, Kamal Haasan and five others were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha. Certificates were issued by Returning Officer Subramani at the Chennai Secretariat. Other elected members include DMK’s A Rokkaiah Malik (popularly known as Poet Salma), SR Sivalingam, re-elected member P Wilson, and AIADMK’s IS Inbadurai and Dhanapal.
The swearing-in was formally announced in a statement by MNM, which said, “We are happy to share that our leader Kamal Haasan will take oath in the Rajya Sabha on July 25 and begin his work for the people.”
Ahead of his swearing-in, Kamal Haasan paid a visit to fellow superstar Rajinikanth at his residence. Photos of the two iconic actors meeting quickly went viral, drawing admiration from fans across India.
Despite MNM not winning any seats in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, it secured 2.62% of the vote share.
