TAMIL NADU

Kamal says he's no more a movie star as political potshots begin

Kamal's tour Kamal Haasan meeting supporters on his tour | Supplied

As movie star-turned-politician Kamal Haasan continued his political tour from the district of Ramanathapuram on Wednesday, major political parties have commenced taking potshots at the newest arrival in Tamil Nadu's political firmament.

Dalit party leader Thol Thirumavalan told reporters that Haasan and Rajinikanth were agents of the BJP to weaken the DMK in Tamil Nadu.

BJP's state unit leader Tamilisai Soundararajan made a series of caustic remarks, claiming Haasan had entered politics to 'compete with someone', seemingly referring to Rajinikanth. She declared that actor-turned-politicians were 'bonsais' who had entered politics after spending a long time in cinema, which the people would not accept.

DMK president M.K. Stalin took a veiled dig at movie stars who had entered politics, claiming that “paper flowers, which do not have fragrance, will bloom during a season but they will wither very soon.”

In a rare instance of unanimity between the two rival Dravidian parties, AIADMK leader and Minister D. Jayakumar said he agreed with Stalin that these are paper flowers and "a modified genetic seed that will not grow."

Haasan responded to Stalin's comment about being a paper flower, declaring he was not a flower, but a seed. He said, “plant me and I will grow.”

After starting his tour from the home of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Haasan held a series of meetings, en route to Madurai, where he will unveil the name of his party and its flag.

In the meetings, he declared he was no longer a movie star but was a lamp. He appealed to people in his rallies, “Like a lamp in your homes, you should ignite me.”

Haasan was received warmly in his home town of Paramakudi, but the crowds were disappointed as he left quickly.

(With inputs from Lakshmi Subramanian, agencies)