Will Rajinikanth finally join politics? Here’s a question that has been debated extensively in the past one year!
The star has, finally, announced that he will put an end to all the rumours on New Year’s Eve.
There are so many speculations about whether I will join politics. I shall announce my decision on 31 December 2017.Rajinikanth
Superstar Rajinikanth addressed his fans on Tuesday, 26 December in Chennai at the beginning of a six-day outreach that is expected to end with him revealing his political debut.
He let the suspense intensify by stating that he is hesitant to enter politics as he is not a newbie to that world.
I am not new to politics. I know the pitfalls and benefits and that is why I am taking time. If you step into the battlefield, you have to win.Rajinikanth
"I have been in politics as early as 1996," he remarked in an oblique reference.
“Even God can’t save Tamil Nadu if Jayalalithaa returns to power,” the Thalivar had commented back in the 90s. This comment is believed to have been incredibly responsible is causing Jayalalithaa a defeat in the state polls.
AIADMK Reacts
Ruling party AIADMK reacted to his statement, saying anyone can enter politics because at the end of the day it is up to the people to decide.
Life is war. Politics is also war. In this, everyone’s aim is only to win the war.Jayakumar, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister to reporters
Will He, Won’t He? A Two-Decade-Long Guessing Game
In a break from tradition, the actor did not meet his fans on his birthday this year.
He announced the annual meet and greet event after a meeting with close aide Tamilaruvi Manian at his Chennai residence on 22 December.
On any day from 26 December to 31 December, he (Rajinikanth) will disclose his plan of action, thereafter there will not be any doubt regarding his political entry.Tamilaruvi Manian, Rajinikanth’s close friend
Political Vaccum in Tamil Nadu Revives Possibilities
Late Chief Minister J Jayalithaa’s demise and DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s inactivity owing to his ill health led to the creation of a political vaccum in Tamil Nadu. While the possibility of Rajinikanth’s entry into politics has been debated for about two decades, it has revived now in view of this.
The actor's opposition to Jayalalithaa was seen as one factor which helped catapult the main opposition party to power in the Assembly elections of 1996. Since then, his fans have urged him to enter politics and expectations have risen among political observers.
Reviving anticipation of his imminent political entry, the actor had said in May that the "system is rotten" despite the presence of "efficient" leaders like DMK's M K Stalin and PMK's Anbumani Ramadoss.
Countering opposition from some pro-Tamil quarters, who claim that he is a non Tamil (since he has Marathi roots and Karnataka origin), he had then asserted that he was a "pachai Tamizhan (pure Tamilian)."
Addressing his fans in May for a similar photo-op, Rajinikanth had said, “Let us face the war when it comes” which was seen as an indication that he might enter politics.
In November, the actor said he was in no hurry to enter politics or to start a political party.
After Kamal Haasan confirmed that he will join politics, all eyes have been on Rajinikanth, who enjoys a massive fan following in south India.
The superstar is busy meeting nearly 1,000 fans across 18 districts during the last week of December, 2017.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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