Rajini wants to be party boss, not CM
Will enter politics when there is an uprising in my favour: Rajini
Actor Rajinikanth disappointed many of his fans, who were expecting him to announce the date of launch of his political party, at his press conference in Chennai on Thursday. Rajini said he would make his political entry when there is a perceptible uprising in his favour. He was, however, clear that the uprising has to come now for by the time the next elections come, in 2026, he would be 76 years.
“This is the right time for an alternative in Tamil Nadu, where there’s a vacuum. We need to create a new movement to bring change. I want media to be united and take the message forward and educate people. It is all in your hands. If you don’t accept what I’m saying now, how will you accept in five years? I want to see the new revolution and wave in TN politics. As I said earlier ‘a miracle will happen and it will happen in 2021 elections.”
He categorically stated that he would not be the Chief Ministerial candidate but only party chief.
“I have never aspired to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu but want to create leaders. I earlier said ‘the system should change’. Entering politics before cleaning up the system is like making sweet pongal in a fish kuzhambu vessel,” he said.
People may have been saying that Rajinikanth was coming to politics for more than 25 years though he had opened his mouth about his desire to enter politics only on December 31, 2017 when there was instability in the state politics. There was a vacuum then following the demise of legendary politicians J. Jayalaliathaa of the AIADMK and M. Karunanidhi of the DMK, he added. “I was offered this CM chair in 1996 itself, when I was just 45. Having turned it down then, do you think I would get lured at the age of 71? He spoke about his three-point vision that has emerged following the discussions he had with many people with a view to finding the mean for alternative politics.
“The first and foremost thing is that we have to get away with ‘unwarranted party posts’ that flourish after each election. Apparently, these posts lead only to corruption in the entire system,” he said.
“The political party and the government should not be headed by the same person. Youngsters and those under the age of 50 should be party candidates in the elections and the Chief Minister will be someone who is educated and farsighted. He will be a person who is ambitious, kind and with high self-esteem. And the party chief will be like an opposition leader who will be the first to question if anything goes wrong,” he said.
Substantiating his strategy, he added, “Even when I hear a script for a film, I do discuss it with at least 10 people. Imagine ruling a state - how big a responsibility and mammoth task it is. I will bring in people with good reputation, including judges, IAS and IPS officers and infuse new blood into politics,” he said.
However, he made it clear that he was not making any sacrifice by refusing to become Chief Minister, nor was it a political stunt.