Rajini questions CM’s absence at Kalaignar’s funeral

STAFF REPORTER

AUGUST 14, 2018 00:00 IST

The film star said that had the State government challenged the decision to give a burial space for the former Chief Minister at the Marina, he himself would have participated in protests.
Says there is no clash of great leaders in politics any more

Actor Rajinikanth questioned the absence of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the final rites for former Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi at Marina, at a memorial event organised by the Tamil Film Industry on Monday evening.

“I was very proud to see that several Chief Ministers as well as leaders from the Centre were present at the final rites of Mr Karunanidhi, where he was given a state funeral. With all of these dignitaries present, shouldn't the Tamil Nadu CM too have been there to pay his last respects? What will people think of this,” Mr. Rajinikanth asked.

“Are you all MGR or Jayalalithaa? There was previously a clash of great leaders in politics, but not any more,” he said, questioning the ruling party over their absence at the State funeral.

He also said that had the Tamil Nadu government challenged the decision to give a burial space for the former Chief Minister at the Marina, he would have participated in protests himself. “I got very emotional seeing Mr. Stalin shed tears and I want to tell him that he has his family and his party for support. His father’s path and achievements will show him the way,” he said. Stating that it was tough for him to imagine a Tamil Nadu without Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Mr. Rajinikanth said that the leader had been instrumental in inspiring lakhs of people to come into politics and had always said that either people like him or oppose him in the political sphere.

“I don’t want anyone to mistake me, but I feel that Kalaignar’s photo should be kept next to M.G.Ramachandran’s photo when the AIADMK annual celebrations are held,” he said.

“If a movie like Parasakthi hadn't been made, Tamil cinema would have lagged by at least 20 years. Kalaignar was someone who showed us that cinema with good dialogues and heroes who spoke on screen and not just sang on screen were important,” said actor Nassar, president of the Nadigar Sangam.