Rajinikanth scraps plans to enter politics
MAKING a U-turn, superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday announced he will not enter politics in view of his frail health, putting an end to his long-nurtured plans and describing his recent hospitalisation as a God’s warning.
‘Only I know the pain behind making this announcement,’ the 70 yearold actor said in a statement, two days before he was to spell out the contours of his party based on spiritual politics aimed at bringing a total change in the Dravidian heartland Tamil Nadu in the 2021 assembly elections.
His decision would disappoint members of his Rajini Makkal Mandram, seen as a precursor forum of his political party, and the people, he said, asking them to forgive him.
‘ .... I inform with great regret I am unable to come to politics by floating a political party. Only I know the pain behind making this announcement,’ he said.
Rajinikanth, however, said he will serve people in whatever ways he can without entering electoral politics.
His decision drew varied reactions with some saying it would affect the BJP while others, including fellow actorpolitician Kamal Haasan, expressing disappointment.
The actor’s move might just upset the BJP’s plans to make a greater presence in the state with a possible alliance with him as his then proposed spiritual politics was seen as soft hindutva, by many political observers.
Earlier this month, the actor had said he will launch his party in January and disclose the specifics by December 31, after revealtions about his renal transplant in 2016 led to doubts about his fitness to take the political plunge.