Rajinikanth hints at reconsidering political plunge

After speculation and anticipation for a long time, it appears that actor Rajanikanth would quit politics before taking a plunge as he cited ill-health and COVID-19 scare as detracting factors in a Twitter post.

Chennai:Continuing to keep everyone guessing about the launch of his political party, superstar Rajinikanth on Thursday took to Twitter to prolong his indecisiveness. Rather than clearing the air of confusion among his fans and supporters, it added fuel to the speculation that he is all set to quit politics owing to age and health concerns.

“I will announce my decision at the appropriate time after consultation with Rajini Makkal Mandram functionaries,” according to his Twitter post. This was his response to a letter circulating on social media for the past couple of days which stated that he has decided to give it up without even stepping into the rough and tumble road of Tamil Nadu politics.

Even while debunking the message as fake, the actor, however, admitted that the information in it about his health and medical advice was true. The letter, purported to be written by the superstar, stated the reasons for him to opt-out of politics, justifying it on health grounds.

“I am suffering from a kidney infection and in 2016 I had undergone a kidney transplant surgery. When I asked my doctor about my political entry, they warned me about my low immunity level and the high risk of contracting COVID infection. I am least worried about my life, yet after my political entry if I am not well it will create a lot of trouble," stated the letter. The movie Moghul also aroused speculations that it was preparing the ground to enable his supporters to accept the reality, the actor denied it.

Read:Actor Vijay tests political waters before taking the plunge

A faculty of sociology in the University of Hyderabad, R Thirunavukkarasu opined that he was putting people's concern at test and he did not utilise the opportunity in 1996 when opposing Jayalalitha would have turned well. However, he helped the DMK-Tamil Maanila Congress coalition to win the elections. Even now, he is not clear and tries to be evasive as ever.

With Assembly elections just months away, this was unpalatable for his supporters. He had declared that his party, once launched, would contest in all the 234 seats in the election. He has opted out of Lok Sabha polls in 2019 aiming the upcoming election.

Union Home Minister also slammed the actor as speculations on his withdrawal from politics arose.“Let him first launch the party,” was his curt reply to a question in a recent interview in a TV channel on the BJP firming up an alliance with Rajinikanth.

It was a clear hint that the saffron party lost hope on the actor as they cannot rely on him to tackle the turbulent politics in Tamil Nadu. The party would have to depend upon the AIADMK to keep itself afloat.

The actor's Twitter post revealed that he is in terms with reality. The political scenario is not the same as in 1996. Even though the film industry and politics are intertwined in the Dravidian land, Rajnikanth's tactics would not win. His Twitter post can be regarded as an apology, explained Professor Dr C Lakshmanan of Madras Institute of Development Studies.

However, ardent supporters of the actor did not lose hope on their 'messiah'. “ Rajini's entry will have big impact in Tamil Nadu assembly polls. He will decide about it after consulting with party functionaries,” said Former Congressman and Rajinikanth's close friend Karate Thiyagarajan.

Well, the wait continues to know whether he is the Godot of Indian politics!