Kamal Haasan likely to be invited to CPI(M) congress events

With actor Kamal Haasan indicating a growing interest in politics, the CPI(M) is planning to invite the popular star to a session at its mega congress slated for next year, party sources here said.
Haasan, who is in touch with CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, may be asked to join an open session, to which outsiders are invited, and a public rally held on the last day of the congress, the sources said.
The party congress -- convened once in three years -- is scheduled to be held next April in Hyderabad.
The actor met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is also a CPI(M) politburo member, earlier this month in what was described by the party as a courtesy call.

"I can tell you one thing, my colour is definitely not saffron. Most of the leftist are my heroes," Haasan had said after the meeting.
The 62-year-old actor had said he had been a part of the film industry for 40 years, but added, "I want to be in the middle of things and not take sides".

CPI(M) sources indicated Haasan could be among the invitees who join the open session and the rally.
"Like many other intellectuals and artistes, Kamal Haasan can also be an invitee to the open session in the coming party congress," said the source.
Reports suggested that Haasan, who has often been critical of the two major parties of Tamil Nadu - the AIADMK and DMK -- may soon float a political party.

The actor of such films as 'Hey Ram' and 'Vishwaroopam' has been in touch with Yechury and also expressed a desire to meet him, the sources said.
Haasan had sent a congratulatory message to Yechury when the ex-MP recently won a Best Parliamentarian Award, instituted by a media group.
"Every well-meaning person would like to come towards the CPI(M). We are in touch with all these people," Yechury told PTI when asked about a possible alignment with Haasan.
He added that Haasan had to first voice his political intention.
"We will have to wait and see his political declaration first," he said.

Asked if his party would form a front like it had done earlier with other like-minded parties, Yechury said, "Talks are still on but it will not be an electoral front but a well- meaning front".
The sources pointed out that others such as directors Shyam Benegal and Girish Karnad had been invited to the party's open sessions and rallies in earlier conferences.
The party congress is held once in three years to chalk out the CPI(M)'s political and tactical line. The party also elects new members to its central committee, the most powerful body of the party, at the congress.