Rajinikanth finally confirms his own political party before assembly elections
Rajinikanth had promised to break the suspense over his political plans on New Year's eve, and he didn't disappoint. He has confirmed he will enter the arena and float his own party "at the appropriate time before assembly polls". It won't be a surprise if he wins in his debut: posters are already up saying if he contests, he will be the next CM.
Rajinikanth's brush with politics
Rajinikanth has had some experience with politics. In the mid-1990s, he supported the Congress, but his endorsement didn't help it win. In 1996, he said, "If Jayalalithaa is voted back to power, even god cannot save Tamil Nadu." Coincidentally, AIADMK then faced a crushing defeat. Earlier this year, he added fuel to the 'will-he-won't-he' speculations when he said, "We should change the 'rotten' system."
'Politics in TN has become rotten, democracy has become rotten'
"Some people after joining politics start looting people. They don't loot other countries or people, rather their own. I'll make sure what is due to the people, will reach them. We need watchmen who will police and ask questions from those do wrong," Rajinikanth said.
'It's time for a truthful, transparent political party'
Announcing his party, Rajinikanth said: "I have thousands of fans associations. This is more than what most political parties can boast of." "The politics in the state has become rotten. All other states are laughing at us. It's time for a change." For this, he has advice for his fans: "Bring everyone together. Maintain discipline. Don't blame or bad mouth others."
Not everyone is happy with the superstar's decision
There's a section unhappy with Rajinikanth's move. Pro-Tamil groups argue there are many Tamils who could rule, and they don't need an immigrant from another state to rule over them. According to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, "Rajini is entering politics at the wrong time and place. The mood is to get rid of all the film stars in politics. TN requires something serious."
Films and politics have been intimately connected in TN
Films and politics are closely intertwined in Tamil Nadu; in the 1950s, movies about reformist views on the social hierarchy ('Parasakthi') jolted the Congress. Perhaps the deepest mark was left by MG Ramachandran, who established the AIADMK, currently TN's strongest force, after being denied a position of power in DMK. Jayalalithaa took charge later, but after her death, TN politics has been in shambles.
What does Rajinikanth's entry mean for Tamil Nadu politics?
TN politics is still grappling with the AIADMK's infighting, DMK's clamors for fresh elections and BJP's attempts to make inroads. Now that Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, two superstars in their own right, are taking the plunge, things are likely to undergo a massive shake-up.
