Rajinikanth congratulates PM Modi

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to retain power at the Centre.

Chennai: Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP is set to make a thumping return to power in the Lok Sabha elections.

Rajinikanth congratulates Modi

"Respected dear @narendramodi ji hearty congratulations...You made it!!! God bless", the 69-year-old actor tweeted.

The BJP alone is leading in 300 seats, according to the latest Election Commission statistics.

Last year, Rajinikanth made a comment which appeared to back Modi, indicating the prime minister was a strong person.

"When 10 people go against one person, who is stronger? Those 10 or the person they are aligning against ? If 10 people declared a war against one man, who is stronger?", he had said when asked about the possibility of a grand opposition alliance to take on Modi.

Asked if Modi was "stronger" and whether this was what he implied through his statement, the actor had said he "can't be more clear".

Rajinikanth has already announced he will float his political party and contest all the 234 seats in the next Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, due in 2021.

The popular actor, who has a large fan following, is yet to launch his party.

Rajinikanth is touted to be inclined towards the BJP, with Modi himself meeting the veteran star on more than one occasion in the recent past, including once at his residence.

The critics of the actor have often claimed he is favourably disposed towards the saffron party.