No other choice; will launch a new political party: Kamal Haasan

News Network
September 15, 2017

New Delhi, Sept 15: Actor Kamal Haasan has ended the speculation over his political entry, saying he will form his own political party as none of the existing ones can provide a platform for his "reformatory" ideology.

The actor said he was thinking of launching a political party, out of compulsion and not choice.

"Yes, I am thinking on those lines, not out of choice but compulsion. Which existent political party can provide me with a platform or an ideology that will match my reformatory goals in politics?" the actor told the website.

In the interview, the actor also took issue with the media linking him to any political party whose leader he happens to be meeting. "The other day, I met the Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and I was supposed to have developed a penchant for communism...A political party is about an ideology. And I don't think my goals in politics can match the ideology of any political party," he told The Quint.

Commenting on the current political situation in Tamil Nadu, Kamal Haasan said the sacking of VK Sasikala as the general secretary of the ruling AIAMDK was a "solid step forward". "I was extremely vocal about getting rid of her. Now that it has happened I feel a little more encouraged in my belief that the politics of Tamil Nadu can change. And I want to bring about that change, no matter how slowly it may be," he said.

Following his meeting with Vijayan, speculation had been rife that he would join the CPI(M). The buzz was fuelled by his recent criticism of the AIADMK and DMK working president MK Stalin.

Kamal Haasan, who is currently hosting the Tamil edition of reality show Bigg Boss, had also recently said that "saffron" was not his colour, a veiled reference to the BJP and the RSS.

"My colour is definitely not saffron. That much I can say now," he had told reporters, in response to questions whether he would swing to the Left or Right.

A source from Kamal's fan club association said: "We still are in the planning phase and discussing ideas. He is keen to enter politics but is currently looking at starting a movement of sorts to gauge public support before taking the final plunge."

Another close friend of Kamal welcomes Kamal's statement but agrees that the finances for floating a party would be a challenge for the Superstar.

R. K. Radhakrishnan, Associate Editor, Frontline, said: "Kamal has been making noises on floating a party. If he does due diligence, he will realise that this is a mammoth task - starting a party and running it across Tamil Nadu. If it's raw emotion that's guiding him, he should seek the counsel of wise leaders such as Su. Thirunavukkarasar, who disbanded his rather successful party."

His entry into politics comes at a time when superstar Raajinikanth too said he is holding discussions but will take a decision when the time is right. His mentor and RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy said Rajini will float his own party and later form an alliance with the BJP.

So the two superstars have been making headlines as the State Govt remains mute spectators and the DMK says both are welcome to join the party. So only time will if both will make political debuts and float their own parties.

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News Network
April 19,2020

New Delhi, Apr 19: The government on Sunday prohibited the sale of non-essential items through e-commerce platforms during the ongoing lockdown, four days after allowing such companies to sale mobile phones, refrigerators and ready-made garments.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla issued an order excluding the non-essential items from sale by the e-commerce companies from the consolidated revised guidelines, which listed the exemption given to the services and people from the purview of the lockdown.

The order said the following clause -- "E-commerce companies. Vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permissions" -- is excluded from the guidelines.

The previous order had said such items were allowed for sale through e-commerce platforms from April 20.

However, the reason for reversing the order is not known immediately.

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News Network
May 24,2020

Bengaluru, May 24:The first 'Sunday curfew' imposed by the Karnataka government to try and contain the spread of COVID-19 got underway in the state today, with people by and large adhering to norms, roads wearing a deserted look and almost no vehicular traffic, barring essential services.

With barricades being up across most roads in the state, people ventured out only to purchase groceries, vegetabes and medicines.

Instances of violation of Sunday curfew lockdown norms were reported in COVID-19 hotspots of Shivajinagar and Rayapura in Bengaluru and Nelamangala and Devanahalli.

Temples, malls, bars, eateries and small food joints remained shut throughout state.

In most parts of the state buses, autorickshaws and cabs did not ply.

In Bengaluru, the ever bustling Majestic area, which houses the central city bus stand, inter-city bus stand, Metro Railway Station and the City Railway Station, did not see any activity as buses did not ply and all shops were shut, police said.

Reports from Mysuru, Tumakuru, Kolar, Mangaluru, Udupi and other towns across the state said there were no lockdown violations.

Amid the rigid curfew marriages were conducted in a simple manner in various parts of the state like Gollarahatti and Yashwanthapura in Bengaluru and also in Davangere.

Families of the brides and grooms invited only a few people for the event, adhered to social distancing norms and wore masks.

In Gollarahatti, the event organisers cleaned the road, after which the invitees, who were hardly 25 to 30 in number, sat down to have a feast.

The Karnataka government had eased restrictions during Lockdown 4 for start of economic activities like city buses, inter-district bus service, intrastate train services, opening of shops and markets.

However, the government had made it clear that there will be 'Janata Curfew' every Sunday during which only essential services would be permitted.

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News Network
May 24,2020

Bengaluru, May 24: A couple got married in Bengaluru today, even as Karnataka government has announced a complete lockdown on Sundays, as part of the fourth phase of COVID-19 shutdown till the end of this month.

The marriage ceremony on this Sunday was possible thanks to a clarification given by the state government for marriages, which has been already scheduled for May 24 and May 31 to be exempted from the Sunday complete lockdown.

At today's wedding, the rituals were performed with compliance of all guidelines including ensuring social distancing and capping the number of guests at 50.

Satish, the groom said, "Government has allowed weddings with up to 50 people in attendance but we decided to invite only 25 people to the ceremony".

Meanwhile, in the Honnali Honnali area of Davanagere, BJP MLA MP Renukacharya distributed masks to three newly-wed couples.

As per an earlier advisory issued by the State government more than 50 guests, no air conditioning, and the consumption of liquor and paan are among the guidelines to be followed for holding weddings in the state. Also, people aged above 65 and below 10 as well as pregnant women have been barred from participating in the event.

According to the advisory, sanitisers should be provided at the entry and other appropriate places at the venue. Also, thermal screening of all persons shall be conducted at the entry of the venue. The scanner should be held 3-15 cms away from a person's forehead.

Apart from this, the venue shall be "clean and hygienic," and a "nodal person shall be identified for overseeing the arrangements and coordination at the venue." Also, a list of attendees with contact details has to be maintained and all guests should have downloaded Aarogya Setu app.

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