No one’s untouchable: Kamal on BJP tie-up

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Kamal Haasan said: “If my DNA is not going to be tampered with, then no one is politically untouchable,” on the possibility of  his political party Makkal Needhi Maiam, allying with the BJP. 

“They must understand the genetic DNA of Tamil Nadu... the beauty in all the diversity,” the actor-politician said.

Perceived as a rationalist, Kamal Haasan is thought to lean towards non-BJP parties.

“Party-wise, I don’t know. I am talking of Ayyappa temple,” he said in an apparent reference to the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages entry into the Sabarimala temple. 

Kerala BJP leaders prefer that the apex court’s order is not implemented and demanded that the State government issue an ordinance to maintain status quo.

On Rahul Gandhi, Kamal Haasan said at the summit: “I see him as a possibility for the country.... In spite of what others have to say.” 

“There is a possibility there,” he underlined, in a hint at Rahul Gandhi assuming a leadership role in the country. “I say it is a possibility when you talk of me as chief minister also,” he added.

On the ‘saffron’ issue, he said, “It is people’s politics. We have respected religion and given a place in our flag. I would like my Tricolour to maintain its texture as it is. I would not like any one colour to permeate the whole flag with any one colour. We made that call 70-odd years ago when we designed the flag,” he said, indirectly indicating that the colour of his politics wasn’t saffron.

On choosing his allies, he said, “What is our USP (unique selling proposition). That we (MNM) are new. So people assume we could be clean. We promulgate that we will fight corruption. The moment we shake hands with a mafia, it taints me. So I have to be careful when I say untouchable. I would not be a partner in crime,” he said.