The executive and working committees of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) convened at the party’s headquarters in Alwarpet, chaired by founder Kamal Haasan. The meeting centered on MNM’s electoral plans, particularly regarding seat-sharing negotiations with ally DMK for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026.
Established in 2018 by Kamal Haasan, MNM has a limited electoral history. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, MNM contested independently in all 39 Tamil Nadu constituencies but did not secure any seats, garnering about 0.40% of the total vote share. Subsequently, in the 2021 Assembly elections, MNM fielded candidates in 180 constituencies, witnessing a rise in its vote share to 2.62%.
In a strategic move, MNM aligned with the DMK-led alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Although not allocated any constituencies, MNM was accommodated with a Rajya Sabha seat, making Kamal Haasan a Member of Parliament. The recent meeting’s focus was on the number of Assembly seats DMK might offer MNM and the constituencies where MNM sees potential for victory.
Reportedly, MNM has identified 15 constituencies, including urban and semi-urban areas like Coimbatore South, Velachery, and Mylapore, where it aims to contest. However, discussions hint at DMK considering allocating only three Assembly seats to MNM. As part of the campaign strategy, Kamal Haasan is set to play a prominent role as a star campaigner for the alliance across Tamil Nadu.
