Rajinikanth keeps guessing game on over his political plunge
Rajinikanth again hinted about his interest in politics as he wrapped up his five-day interaction with fans in Chennai today
Chennai: On Friday, actor Rajinikanth again hinted about his interest in politics as he wrapped up his five-day interaction with fans in Chennai.
“I have my own duties and responsibilities and the same with you. So, go back home and do your work. But when the war comes, let us encounter it. God is there!” said Rajinikanth to his fans.
The Tamil superstar’s political stand has been a much speculated topic since 1996 when he made a strong political comment that impacted that year’s election results.
In 1996, the actor extended support to the alliance led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which swept the polls that year.
“If Jayalalithaa is voted back to power, even God cannot save Tamil Nadu,” the actor had said then.
On 15 May, on the first day of his interaction with his fans from various districts, Rajinikanth said: “In case I enter politics, I will be truthful and will not work with those who are into this to make money,” he added.
His Friday statement has once again triggered a buzz about his entry in politics. With former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s demise in December last year and with ailing DMK chief M. Karunanidhi out of action in the last few months, observers have pointed out the political vacuum in the state.
Meanwhile, there have been rumours about Rajinikanth starting his own political outfit with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to establish its presence in the southern state and is looking for a face for the party there.
While posters asking Rajinikanth to join politics have sprang up in some of the prominent areas in Chennai over the last few months, the actor on Friday said, “One cannot grow without opposition; in politics opposition is essential.”
Rajinikanth who went on to praise Tamil Nadu politicians said: “Cho Ramaswamy used to say that M.K. Stalin had the capability of doing wonders if he is given freedom to act.”
Rajinikanth also praised PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss, VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan and Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman. “But, the democratic system is rotten and the tenet of democracy has changed,” the actor said.
Clarifying on the often heard criticism over his Tamil origins, he said, “I’m 67 years old. I have spent just 23 years in Karnataka. But, the rest 44 years of my life have been in Tamil Nadu.”
“You (people of Tamil Nadu) have given me the name, fame and money. You have made me a Tamilian. If you throw me out of this state, I’ll go fall in Himalayas and not anywhere else,” said the actor.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had recently remarked that Rajinikanth was not a Tamilian, “(but) a Marathi from Bengaluru”.
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First Published:19 May 2017, 02:08 PM IST
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