After announcing his decision to enter politics, superstar Rajinikanth gave his first public speech on Monday. He said that there is a vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics which has compelled him to step in.
“When there were two strong leaders like Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, there was no vacuum… Tamil Nadu needs a leader and I have come to fill in,” the 67-year-old superstar to cheering students at a private university at the outskirts of Chennai.
There were more than 5,000 students gathered at the Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, where the actor came to inaugurated a statue of MG Ramachandran. Almost an equal number of students were also watching his speech an adjacent auditorium on a giant screen.
Invoking former Tamil Nadu chief minister MG Ramachandran, Rajinikanth said, “Many say all can’t become MGR. Yes, none can become MGR. He’s a yuga Purush. But I have the confidence that I can give MGRs good governance.”
Speculations are rife that the actor may reveal some of his political plans today, days after Tamil Nadu’s other superstar Kamal Haasan announced his party’s name and agenda.
On the highway en route to the university at the outskirts of the city is dotted with hundreds of big Rajinikanth posters and hoardings. Traffic Ramaswamy, a well-known activist, alleged that the posters have been put up in violation of rules thereby sparking a controversy. He alleged that the posters are causing problems for pedestrians. He even threatened to complain to Madras high court tomorrow.
Rajnikanth also addressed the issue and said that he would speak about the posters at university while leaving Poes Garden home.
The actor on December 31, had made an announcement that he would formally launch a party and contest all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, which will go in elections in 2021.
However, his party would be launched after elections were announced in the state, refusing to say he would contest the national election in 2019. He said that he would take a call later.
The actor has meanwhile launched a website to allow people to register themselves as members of his Rajini Mandram (forum). His team is also busy appointing district wise office-bearers.
Today’s meeting comes just ahead of the release of his next film Kaala in April, a teaser for which was released a few days ago.