Modi a charismatic leader like Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi: Rajinikanth

NEW DELHI: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Tuesday while praising the PM for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections said that Modi is now a charismatic leader like Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi.
"This Lok Sabha poll victory is a win for the individual leadership called Modi. It is the victory for a charismatic leader," he told reporters.
He noted that the country in the past had charismatic leaders like Nehru, Indira, Rajiv and Vajpayee.
"After them (the country) has got Modi, a charismatic leader. If you see in Tamil Nadu, there were charismatic leaders like Kamaraj, Anna, Kalaignar, MGR, Jayalalithaa. Along those lines, this victory is achieved for the leadership of Modi," he said.
Rajnikanth also said that he will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 30. He was invited for the May 30 swearing-in of Modi as Prime Minister for a second term.
When asked about his views on Rahul Gandhi's decision of quitting the Congress chief post, Rajinikanth said that he should not resign.
"I won't say he lacks leadership. It is difficult to handle senior leaders. The seniors haven't worked hard," he said.
Insisting that Rahul Gandhi should not step down, the actor said that he should instead prove that he can do it. "Opposition should also be strong in a democracy," he added.
The actor also welcomed Union minister Nitin Gadkari's comments on the linking of Godaveri-Pennar-Cauvery rivers.
According to reports, Gadkari had recently said that his first task (as Union minister) would be to bring water to Tamil Nadu by linking Godavari and Cauvery rivers.
Modi will be administered oath of office for his second term along with his new council of ministers on May 30 by President Ram Nath Kovind.
He is the first BJP leader who has been elected for the second time after completion of his five-year tenure, a feat so far achieved only by two Congress leaders - Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.