After the episodes of political backlash sparked by the resignations of various senior leaders after facing a debacle in the recently held assembly polls of Tamil Nadu, actor turned politician Kamal Haasan has on Saturday unfolded an overhauling drive in his party by announcing new appointments for key positions and pouring more powers to him. 

Makkal Needhi Maiam has contested in the polls as the third front by forming an alliance with Sarathkumar's Samathuva Makkal Katchi and Parivendar's Indhiya Janayanaga Katchi. However, the alliance had eventually witnessed a huge defeat in the polls and except for a few candidates including Kamal Haasan, the rest of them hadn't secured their deposit amount. 

Along with the poll defeat, Kamal's Makkal Needhi Maiam had also braced up huge setbacks within the party following the defeat. The party's then vice president R Mahendran had exited from the party by alleging the lack of democracy and deliberate intervention of a political consultant. His exit has directed a rift in the party and Kamal Haasan had called Mahendran a traitor and the setback didn't end there. 

More senior functionaries including former IAS officer Santhosh Babu and environmentalist Padma Priya had exited from the party while the members had dissented against the party's leadership. Earlier, some of the party members had demanded Kamal Haasan for more transparency and accountability over the financial transaction made for the elections but he failed to disclose clear information. 

Weeks after the poll defeat and political setbacks, Makkal Needhi Maiam had on Saturday occupied the headlines as Kamal Haasan has announced new appointments. Giving him more powers amid being the president of the party, Kamal Haasan has declared himself as the party's General Secretary. The party's statement has said that two key political advisors, vice presidents, three state secretaries, coordinator of the welfare wing, and an additional Central Governing Body member were appointed today (Saturday). 

Kamal Haasan said, "More such appointments will be made in the days to come. The newly-appointed state secretaries have represented the party in the 2021 Tamil Nadu State Assembly Elections." The party's release has said that the party president (Kamal Haasan) shall take the additional responsibility of General Secretary of Makkal Needhi Maiam. 

According to reports, veteran politician Pazha. Karuppiah and former aide of late Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, Ponraj Vellaisamy have been appointed political advisors. Former IPS officer AG Mourya and entrepreneur Thangavelu are vice presidents for organization and implementation respectively. Senthil Arumugam, Siva Elango, and Sarath Babu have been appointed as the state secretaries with different responsibilities. 

Kamal Haasan has appointed Sripriya Sethupathi as Central Governing Body member and G Nagarajan as Coordinator of Narpani Iyakkam (Welfare) Wing. In a statement, Kamal Hassan said, "Join me in welcoming these new appointees who have dedicated their life to serving the people. They will work with you to strengthen the party. Cooperate with them to the fullest. The local body elections are coming soon, we must get ready to face it."