Rajini ready for ‘thalaivar’ role, to launch political party in Jan

Rajini ready for ‘thalaivar’ role, to launch political party in Jan

‘Graft-free Govt Will Be Above Caste, Religion’

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.12.2020

Actor Rajinikanth finally ended the suspense over his political foray on Thursday and said he would launch his political party in January. A formal announcement would be made on December 31, Rajinikanth said, taking to twitter and ending a more than 24-year wait of his fans.

“With the massive support of people, we will capture power and provide a corruption-free and transparent government that will be above caste, creed and religion,” Rajinikanth said in a tweet.

“Change. We will change

everything. Miracle and wonder will happen. If not now, then never,” Rajinikanth tweeted, taking a leaf out of a campaign that his fans have been running over the past few months on the same slogan. As political buzz picked up traction, the actor followed up with a hurriedly convened media conference.

“I had made it clear on December 31, 2017 (when he addressed his fans at a gathering at his Raghavendra marriage hall here) that I will surely enter politics in time for the assembly elections. In March this year, I said I wanted to see a wave and uprising from the people wanting a political change. I wanted to undertake a tour of the state to make that happen. But corona prevented that from happening,” Rajinikanth told reporters at his residence. The actor said he has already started the work for launching the party. But it requires gigantic effort and he has given the responsibility to supervise the work to Tamilaruvi Manian, chief of Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam. “Despite criticism, he has stood by me ever since I made it clear that I will enter politics,” the actor said. He also said he has appointed R Arjuna Murthy, who was in the BJP till a few days ago, as the chief coordinator.

Can Rajini become next MGR of TN?

Rajinikanth may want to do à la M G Ramachandran of 1973 who took with him a chunk of DMK’s leaders and workers to form the AIADMK that swept the polls three years later in 1977 assembly election. But actor Rajinikanth, who will turn 70 soon, and his ‘rasigars’ are pitted against two Dravidian giants, the ruling AIADMK and the DMK, with robust party structures and strong financial muscle . P2

OPS hints at alliance, then turns cautious

AIADMK coordinator and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, who initially welcomed Rajinikanth’s entry and hinted at the possibility of an alliance with the actor’s yet-to-be launched party, reneged and said a decision will be taken about alliance when the need arises. “We welcome Rajnikanth, the great film actor, entering politics. In politics, anything can happen in future. If there is a possibility, alliance will be formed (with him),” he had told reporters in Theni. P2

Will actor help BJP breach the Dravidian fort?

The BJP, which is believed to have played a significant role in Rajinikanth’s decision to finally take the political plunge, may well be among the actor’s top choices for an ally, if he decides to build one. According to sources, several saffron party leaders feel that Rajinikanth is their best bet to stop the juggernaut of Dravidian politics as he can attract leaders from both the DMK and the AIADMK and bring about a tectonic shift in TN politics. P2

‘Time to change Tamil Nadu’s fate has come’

I hope you all know that I underwent a renal transplant. When transplants are done, the body’s immunity level is brought down. Hence, doctors advised me against going out and meeting people at large,” he said.

“If one has to face Covid, the body’s immunity level should be very high. I thought about it. It is because of the prayers of the people of Tamil Nadu that my life was saved when I underwent treatment in Singapore. I will be happy to give away my life for the sake of the people of this state,” Rajinikanth said seeking to drive home the point that he would campaign for a political change in the state even if it demands risking his health.

“The time to change the fate of Tamil Nadu has come. Change of government and change in politics will happen. I am only a small tool. It is the people, who have to usher in the change by extending your support. If I win, it will be your victory. If I lose, it will also be that of the people,” he said.

FULL COVERAGE: P 2