Sell Out?

Sidhu,frontman of the popular band Cactus,feels that though the radical singer can very well change the face of West Bengal politics with his subversive ways,he fears that he may end up being a victim of the “celebrity-politician” jinx. “I don’t think artistes make for good politicians. I have great respect for Kabir Suman,but I wonder if he will be able to handle the bureaucratic nonsense,” he states.

However,there are other admirers of this cultural icon,who feel that this decision is a cause to celebrate. “He is being proactive. He has taken the political platform of Trinamool in order to voice his thoughts and ideas. I am sure he will never compromise on his ideals,” says Subhankar Ghosh,a MA student of Calcutta University and a self-confessed “Suman devotee”.

Filmmaker Sumon Ghosh feels that joining the Trinamool Congress was but a natural progression for Suman. “His staunch stand on the Nandigram imbroglio made one thing clear to his admirers- he will not be a passive spectator. Joining The Trinamool Congress was the only logical choice,” he says.

Some,like Sambuddha Chaudhuri,a student of medicine with the Midnapore Medical College,are left with mixed feelings. “After writing and composing so many rebellious songs like-rashtro,aami chai and participating in radical movements I didn’t expect him to take this conventional route. Yet,I wish him all the best and hope that he keeps the flame of revolution alive,” he sums up.