Kejriwal calls on Kamal Haasan, invites him to join active politics

NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: To extend his party's base to the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which is going undergoing a churning, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday met actor Kamal Haasan and invited him to join active politics to fight corruption and communalism.

Accompanied by top AAP leaders Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Somnath Bharti, Kejriwal held a meeting with Haasan for over an hour at the actor's residence in Alwarpet, Chennai.

"It is important, at this point, when the country is facing strong forces of corruption and communalism, all likeminded people should talk to each other on these issues and work in tandem," Kejriwal said.

He added that Haasan should enter politics and that the two would continue to meet in future. Haasan, who has of late been dropping hints on taking the political plunge, showered praise on Kejriwal, saying the Delhi Chief Minister had a national profile of fighting against corruption and communalism.

"I also have a similar reputation and it is no wonder we decided to have a dialogue on the existing situation (in the country and Tamil Nadu)," he said. The actor asserted that he would seek advice from any person who is fighting against communalism and corruption.

"It is more of a learning curve for me... an educational tourism asking anybody who is fighting against communalism and corruption to give me advice to go about my endeavour," he said.

Welcoming Hassan's interest, Kejriwal said, "A lot of people feel strongly about these things but don't come out and express."

Haasan has been critical of the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu over various issues, including corruption, triggering sharp condemnation from some state ministers.

Before Thursday's meeting with Kejriwal, the actor had earlier called on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram on September 1.