Kamal Haasan Backs Rebel Panneerselvam: ‘Has Proven His Mettle’

Kamal Haasan gave his support to Panneerselvam, saying the man can be removed later if he proves incompetent.

Kamal Haasan. (Photo: Reuters) 

Actor Kamal Haasan, who had posted strong tweets on the ongoing Panneerselvam-Sasikala row on Wednesday, spoke his mind on the issue in an interview with India Today.

Haasan explained what his tweets meant and said that the current Chief Minister has proven his mettle.

The 62-year-old actor was of the opinion that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu should be elected by the people.

Panneerselvam, who resigned from Chief Minister’s post on Saturday, said on Wednesday that he was forced to resign from the post. Following his act of rebellion, Sasikala said that she was disappointed with Panneerselvam for betraying the party, after which a public feud broke out.

Here’s a few excerpts from Haasan’s interview with India Today.

‘Panneerselvam Has Proven His Mettle’

I have reservations about both of them [Panneerselvam and Sasikala]. But right now this guy has proven his mettle and is OK, and we’ll throw him out of his office if we feel he is incompetent again. That’s the will of people.

Also Read: Actors Should Speak up About TN Crisis, Says Kamal Haasan

‘We Want People Who Work For the Nation’

My anger has to come to a point of exasperation after years. I remember these broken promises for more than 40 years now. I am not blaming one party. It’s high time people (of Tamil Nadu) realise their responsibilities and come forward and say - ‘You told us what democracy means, but we get to call the shots. We are not getting it. We don’t need leaders. We are not sheep. We don’t need to be led. We want people who work for the nation just like who we are.’

Is Sasikala Corrupted?

They are all there...It’s a conglomeration of corruption. Let’s not pinppoint a lady.

Also Read: How Panneerselvam Gained Mass Appeal in TN With a Single Speech

‘Panneerselvam is Not a Friend’

Mr Panneerselvam is not a friend or a foe. He’s a tool to execute my democratic will. It doesn’t matter, we’ll find another tool much sharper than him, if need be. That’s the direction we should take. In the name of equipoise, we can’t get blunter and blunter tools so that we go back to Stone Age.

‘TN Hasn’t Had the Best of Service For 60 Years’

Tamil Nadu has not had the best of service from politicians for more than 60 years. The first 10 years were glorious, but Congress..Kamraj-ji, Raja-ji.. they all became complacent. Then came Dravidian parties. Those promises were also not kept.

The actor has clearly been following TN’s political developments closely, even entreating other actors to speak up and make their voices heard for the state. He tweeted to actor Madhavan, encouraging him to use his reach to affect the political conversation:

Madhav responded with a series of diplomatic tweets that did not attempt to take any sides on the issue inflaming TN, but rather simply encouraged people to speak up, much like Haasan had encouraged him to speak up himself.

Hasaan has also been a vocal proponent of Jallikattu when TN was inundated with protests over the banning of the sport.

(Sources: The News Minute, India Today)