In a setback for Kamal Haasan ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) general-secretary A Arunachalam Friday joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Prakash Javedkar. Arunachalam, one of the founding members of the MNM, said he took the decision after Haasan refused to support the Centre’s farm laws. Addressing reporters, Arunachalam said he felt blessed to join the saffron party on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. When I urged my leader and the party high command to support the Centre’s decision, they refused,” Arunachalam said. I told them they are a centrist party and if they don’t support the government’s decision, there won’t be much difference between them and the Opposition.

Source: Indian Express December 25, 2020 06:22 UTC