Suprestar Rajnikanth enters politics, will contest Assembly polls

Chennai: Tamil film demigod Rajinikanth on Sunday announced that he will launch his political party and contest in all 234 constituencies in the next Assembly elections, thereby ending the prolonged speculation and uncertainty over his political foray lasting over 20 years. As opposed to the Dravidian politics that has dominated the southern State for 50 long years, he will embark on what he called “spiritual politics” with the motto of truth, labour and progress.

“My entry into politics is certain. This is the compulsion of time. In the next State Assembly elections, I will start my own political party and contest in all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu,” he said as thousands of fans, who had assembled at the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam owned by him in Chennai, cheered. However, he would not contest in the local body elections (which could be held earlier) as the time was short; rather, he conveyed his thoughts on testing the waters in the next Lok Sabha polls.

Rajinikanth said that his decision to enter politics is not aimed at garnering fame or money as he already enjoys both, thanks to his fans. Instead, he has taken this move as he believes politics has become very rotten and democracy has decayed. Unlike the days of the king who looted other empires and palaces, those in power were looting their own subjects. “The political developments of Tamil Nadu in the past one year have made everyone hang their heads in shame. People from every other State are laughing at us. Now, if I don’t take a decision, I will be nagged by guilt till my death — That I did not even attempt to do something good in a democratic manner for the people who have given me life (in cinema),” he claimed.

Stating that the time for changing the political system has come, he said “We need truthful, honest, principled, transparent politics, not influenced by caste or religion. We need spiritual politics. That is my goal, desire and aim.”

Quoting from the Bagavad Gita, the actor recalled Lord Krishna’s advice to Arjuna to discharge his duty without worrying about the reward. “If you don’t go to war, they will call you a coward. I have already finished everything. I just have to shoot the arrow,” Rajinikanth said. Claiming that had he wanted the throne he could have taken it in 1996, he asked, “When I did not desire power at 45, do you think I would when I am 65?”

Rajinikanth underlined that politics was not like cinema and he would need the support of all Tamil people. Contesting in elections and winning was akin to diving into the deeps seas for pearls. He was confident that he would have the grace of God and people’s support. He did not want cadres but people who would act as guards and hold those in power accountable. “I will be the people’s representative who will keep these guards in check. I will be the representative of the people, who will select the right person for the right position at the right time. We need an army or guards for this, and we need to create it,” he said while calling for reviving, regularising and expanding his fan clubs with members in every street.

Until that task is achieved, Rajnikanth said he would not speak about politics, criticise leaders or parties and expected the same from his fans. “Don’t get into political protests. There are already people in the political pond who would drown if they don’t swim. We know how to swim but let’s now swim on the ground. We will swim when we enter the pond,” he said.

According to the actor, his party would face the people clearly listing out what can be achieved and what can’t be done and if the promises are not fulfilled, “we will resign in three years”.