Coimbatore Dec 26
Sathyamoorthy Govindarajan
His entry into politics has been very eagerly awaited in Tamil Nadu, especially after the demise of former Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo, Jayalalithaa, about a year ago. Besides, with the total incapacitation of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, the State is facing a political vacuum.This has been further accentuated by the proposed political entry of another Tamil mega star Kamalhaasan. He is also hesitant to announce it categorically. In the light of this, Rajnikanth today said that he would reveal his decision to enter politics on December 31.
Kamalhaasan has been openly voicing his views, at times very vitriolically, regarding various issues. He has taken on mighty parties as well.
At the same time, Rajnikanth has been extremely careful in speaking out his mind. While Kamalhaasan has openly announced that his "colour is not saffron", it has become customary for even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call on Rajnikanth. They continue to be very good friends for long.
The only potent and the most significant expression of Rajni with regard to politics was in 1996 when the Assembly elections for Tamil Nadu were announced. Thoroughly hurt by the way that the AIADMK was ruling during 1991-96, he declared that "if AIADMK were to be returned to power, even God won't be able to save Tamil Nadu". He admitted that it proved to be one of the reasons for the drubbing that AIADMK received then, including the defeat of Jayalalithaa herself.
Addressing his fans this morning at Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, Kodambakkam, Chennai, where he proposed to have a photo-op for six days, he touched upon the issue of his entry into politics. He pointed out whether the public wanted it or not, the media are very much anxious about it.
He made it clear that he was not new to politics and "I know quite a lot about politics. Just because I am aware of the pitfalls of politics, I am hesitant".
At the same time, he pointed out that he had already said that he would take a decision "when the war comes". Reiterating it, he said "when we enter the war, we should win. For winning, valour alone is not enough, what you require is support (infrastructure and strategy)".
Hence, he said, he would announce his decision on the last day of his meeting with the fans, i.e. on Dec 31.