Once Kamal Haasan's close aide, R Mahendran's transition from ‘torch’ bearer to fan of ‘rising sun’ “To serve in a political party, leadership quality is as important as the policies of the party. If not for Covid, my joining the DMK would have been a big event in Coimbatore,” he added. Share Via Email | A+A A- By Express News Service CHENNAI: Dr R Mahendran, former vice-president of actor Kamal Haasan’s party MNM, and Padmapriya, an activist who contested the recent Assembly polls on an MNM ticket, were among those who joined the ruling DMK on Thursday. Mahendran and Padmapriya joined the party in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin.