Chennai: Even as ruling AIADMK faction stepped up the ante against actor Kamal Haasan for speaking against corruption, opposition parties and OPS faction came to the rescue of the thespian.

The day began with finance minister D Jayakumar stepping into the issue, with a diatribe against Kamal Haasan alleging that he was indulging in mudslinging and “we will not keep quiet about it.”

He told media persons on Monday that the actor should enter political and make the charges.

Kamal Haasan is also under attack for hosting Tamil version of Big Boss, for the obscenity the show contained and how it was damaging to the Tamil culture and traditions.

“Why was Kamal Haasan silent all the while when Jayalalithaa was alive and was the chief minister” Jayakumar questioned.

DMK working president, MK Stalin, former chief minister O Panneerselvam, CPM state secretary C Ramakrishanan were among the politicians who rallied round the actor under attack from the government for his comment that “there was a need to change the corrupt government system in Tamil Nadu.

Panneerselvam said that in a democracy everyone had the right to air their views and if the ministers had substance, they should counter the charges with proof instead of threatening the actor. In a statement, Stalin said that Kamal Haasan, like any other citizen, has only reflected what the people of Tamil Nadu feels about the AIADMK government in the state. The government should take the criticism and correct mistakes pointed out by the people, Stalin said.

CPM secretary Ramakrishnan said the ministers should refute Kamal Haasan’s allegations with proof. No one can take any a person’s right to air views in a democracy, he said.

Ruling AIADMK faction ministers launched a war against the actor, digging up dirt in his personal life.

Tamil Nadu law minister C Ve Shanmugam described Kamal Haasan a “third rate actor” and he has also been involved with many women. “We all know Kamal Haasan had an affair with an actress, did not marry her and asked her to go out after living with her for many years,” he said adding Kamal Haasan’s personal life was against the culture of the state.