Efforts being made to paint me with ‘saffron’, says Rajini

Superstar Rajinikanth has stirred the political cauldron once again; this time alleging attempts to saffronise him just as some people tried to saffronise Tamil savant Thiruvallur. “But neither Thiruvalluvar nor I would get into any saffron trap,” the actor told reporters outside his Poes Garden bungalow in Chennai on Friday.

Rajini’s statement is being seen as a clear move to distance himself from the BJP even as his earlier statements and actions on various issues appeared to be pro-saffron; for instance, his statement sometime back that Modi is the strongest leader in the country because many have ganged up to fight him.

Answering questions on his political stand in the light of persistent speculation that he’s all set to start a political party and align it with the BJP during the next Assembly polls (2021) — even if not joining the BJP — Rajinikanth now made it clear he would indeed launch into politics but “will not get into any saffron trap”.

He sought to play down the saffron subject, though; saying it’s only the media that was blowing it up instead of focusing on more important issues facing the country and the people.

Thiruvalluvar was a saint hailed across the world for his wisdom and a believer in God. “He was a theist and not an atheist”, he said, hinting that the rationalist politicos too have been trying to hijack the great teacherphilosopher.

But then, it was understandable that some parties would stake a claim to the Valluvar legacy for selfish political gain. “There is nothing wrong with that. They (BJP) did something on their site (twitter) …..Thiruvalluvar will not get trapped in this saffronising, I will not get trapped either”, Rajinikanth said letting off his famous guttural laughter. It must be pointed out that all the statements from the superstar were merely in response to pointed questions from the media persons so as to elicit a super news copy, and not any voluntary revelations.

Thiruvalluvar (Tamil savant) will not get trapped in this saffronising, I will not get trapped either — Rajinikanth, Cinestar turned politician