Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu): Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan begged his pardon from the people of Thoothukudi saying had people like him plunged into politics early, the Thoothukudi police firing that claimed 13 lives in the anti-Sterlite protests would have never taken place.

The 64-year-old who launched his own outfit last year, said, "Had people like me come into politics 20 years earlier, incidents like the Thoothukudi tragedy would not have occurred.”

He was campaigning for his party's candidate in the Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency and Vilathikulam assembly segment.

Haasan brought the affected families to the stage and said that electorates must never forget the May 22 firing while exercising their franchise on April 18 in the second phase of elections. He said that the Thoothukudi affirmed his resolve to join politics.

The MNM chief also says that he has been falsely implicated as a leftist who does not support industrialisation. He says that he does not desist industrialisation, but wants environment-friendly industries to ensure jobs in the Southern districts, especially, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and his native Ramanathapuram.

Haasan also clarified that industries like Strelite must be there, but in less populated areas.

The critically-acclaimed superstar is not contesting the elctions this time and his party is running independently without the support of the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK.

Tamil Nadu votes in the second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on April 18. Votes will be counted on May 23.

Also Read: MNM To Face LS Polls By Itself: Kamal Haasan