Iceman’s Realm

The CPI (M) is using Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite clothing material to garner support.  The West Bengal Khadi and Villages Industries Commission recently organised a fashion show to promote khadi, where top models and actors from West Bengal sashayed the ramp. The buzz is that the organizers, including commission chairman and former MP Mohammed Salim consulted designer Sabyasachi for the show. But the silence of the CPI (M) top brass has irked some party members who wonder why the party has changed its stand on entertainment shows. Back in 1986, the late Subhas Chakraborty’s initiative, Hope 86, which had the likes of actor Sri Devi performing for a musical evening, received harsh criticism from the party. Salim’s show didn’t have to face verbal volleys.