Kamal Haasan to attend CPM conclave

Chennai: Legendary Tamil film star Kamal Hassan will attend the Kerala CPI-M's convention against communalism in Kozhikode on September 16, in what is being seen as the actor's big step in taking a plunge in politics after having been proactive in raising voice against the government of the day in Tamil Nadu.

Kamal, who has been speaking against communalism and imposition of Hindi by the BJP Government, was invited by Kerala Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan to take part in the convention since the actor has always been Left-leaning and had lent his voice to the oppressed, CPI-M sources said.

“Kamal accepted the invitation and has confirmed his participation at the anti-communalism convention in Kozhikode on Saturday. We are looking forward to hearing Kamal speak against communalism and fascist forces,” a senior party leader said.

Kamal’s participation in CPI-M conference assumes significance in the wake of his assertion on September 1 after meeting Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram over Onam lunch that his colour is “definitely not saffron.”

Sources said the meeting could definitely chart the course for Kamal’s innings in politics, which he has been hinting at for the past couple of months. The actor has been quite active on micro-blogging site, Twitter, criticising the state government’s policies and stand on various issues like Neet. Through his posts on Twitter, occasional public speech and interviews to television channels, Kamal has been maintaining that it was “time to change politics” in Tamil Nadu and that people should not rule out his joining politics.

“Most of the leftists are my heroes. I want to be in the middle of things and not take sides. But I can tell you one thing, my colour is definitely not saffron,” Kamal had told reporters then when asked whether he was tilting towards the
Left as he has met Vijayan.