Haasan gets battery torch as party symbol

Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Sunday thanked the Election Commission for allotting his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) the battery torch symbol, calling it “appropriate and in keeping with the party's vision. “MNM thanks the Election Commision for granting us the symbol which is  so appropriate. MNM will endeavour to be the 'torch-bearer' for a new era in TN and Indian politics,” Haasan tweeted.  Haasan will contest the Lok Sabha polls. IANS

DMK to fine-tune poll strategy, calls meeting

Chennai: Days after formalising seat-sharing with allies for the Lok Sabha elections, the DMK has convened a meeting of its senior office-bearers on Monday to fine-tune its strategy for the polls. Deliberations on bypolls to the 21 Assembly constituencies and the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 18 would be the agenda for the meeting, the party said. The meeting, to be held at the party headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam’ here will see participation by district secretaries, MLAs, and MPs. DMK president MK Stalin, meanwhile, has held interviews of candidates seeking the party ticket for the elections. PTI

Not in PM race

I do not see dreams. Neither do I go to anyone, nor do I do any lobbying. I am not in this race... I am telling you from my heart. I have not done any calculations, never set targets — neither in politics, nor in work. I believe in doing the best for the country Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister