Chennai: The war of words between the State Ministers and actor Kamal Haasan touched a new low today with three Ministers taking a dig at the actor saying the latter was coward.

The actor had recently alleged rampant corruption in all government departments and a total system failure in Tamil Nadu.

State Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam, while addressing media persons today called Kamal Haasan a third rate actor who would do anything for money. “Actor Ajith was bold. He made daring charges in a meeting against the then DMK government. Kamal is a coward,” he said.

State Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani demanded evidence from the actor and asked him to prove his charges. “Let’s audit the amount of tax you have paid for the movies you have produced,” he told the actor.
State Ministers D. Jayakumar and Sellur Raju too criticised the actor for his remarks today. They said he should enter politics first to make such charges.

Meanwhile, DMK Working President M.K. Stalin and leaders of AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma led by O Panneerselvam backed the actor in the issue.

“Kamal Haasan, like any other citizen, has only reflected what the people of Tamil Nadu feels about the AIADMK Government in the State. In a democracy the rulers have to correct their mistakes and also explain their position when criticisms are levelled against them,” Stalin said in a statement today.

Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and former Minister K.P. Munusamy said the actor’s allegations deserved a reply from the Government.