BJP to keep a close watch on Rajinikanth's political moves
ET Bureau|
Jan 01, 2018, 07.54 AM IST
NEW DELHI: The BJP along with others is closely watching the political move of superstar Rajnikanth who announced his long awaited political debut on Sunday, claiming that he will soon form his party and will fight elections on all assembly seats.
While there is no understanding as of now with the BJP, the party expects Rajinikanth's brand of spiritual politics will soften Tamil Nadu for its entry. "No doubt that Rajinikanth is a 'positive, pan Indian' face in Tamil Nadu who can match up to Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa at least in terms of popularity. Leaders such as OPS, EPS and Dinakaran are clearly limited by their communities or reputation, and Stalin despite leading the DMK in two elections has not emerged as a winner yet," a BJP leader said.
What however everyone seems to be unsure of is the extent of how Rajinikanth will take his political announcements further or how much of support base he will be able to translate into electoral sup-port. Leaders recall how spiritual leaders such as Dayananda Saraswati had many years ago asked him to work with the BJP. PM Narendra Modi himself had also reached out to him several times and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat had a meeting with him, but the superstar has always shied away from making his political affiliations with the BJP openly known.
"Even this time, he has entered politics carefully, making all efforts to keep his family strictly out of meetings. Even his wife who till afew months ago would meet a few people politically is no longer involved," a BJP leader said.
Party president Amit Shah, according to sources in the party, is looking at the state but it is not the top priority.
"He will understand it and strategise when the time comes. As of now governance is important in Tamil Nadu as it is a fairly large state," said a BJP leader.
"As a devout leader, Rajinikanth does appeal to the pious Tamils who are large in number. But even now he cannot be seen as overtly supporting the BJP. He has to maintain his nonc-ommunal image, especially because many of his cadres come from Dalit families and the Dalit here is vehemently anti-Hindutva," a BJP leader said.
While there is no understanding as of now with the BJP, the party expects Rajinikanth's brand of spiritual politics will soften Tamil Nadu for its entry. "No doubt that Rajinikanth is a 'positive, pan Indian' face in Tamil Nadu who can match up to Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa at least in terms of popularity. Leaders such as OPS, EPS and Dinakaran are clearly limited by their communities or reputation, and Stalin despite leading the DMK in two elections has not emerged as a winner yet," a BJP leader said.
What however everyone seems to be unsure of is the extent of how Rajinikanth will take his political announcements further or how much of support base he will be able to translate into electoral sup-port. Leaders recall how spiritual leaders such as Dayananda Saraswati had many years ago asked him to work with the BJP. PM Narendra Modi himself had also reached out to him several times and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat had a meeting with him, but the superstar has always shied away from making his political affiliations with the BJP openly known.
"Even this time, he has entered politics carefully, making all efforts to keep his family strictly out of meetings. Even his wife who till afew months ago would meet a few people politically is no longer involved," a BJP leader said.
Party president Amit Shah, according to sources in the party, is looking at the state but it is not the top priority.
"He will understand it and strategise when the time comes. As of now governance is important in Tamil Nadu as it is a fairly large state," said a BJP leader.
"As a devout leader, Rajinikanth does appeal to the pious Tamils who are large in number. But even now he cannot be seen as overtly supporting the BJP. He has to maintain his nonc-ommunal image, especially because many of his cadres come from Dalit families and the Dalit here is vehemently anti-Hindutva," a BJP leader said.
