Is Rajinikanth trying to buy more time?

CHENNAI: A reluctant Rajnikanth has finally decided to take the political plunge. However, the actor seems to be trying to buy more time by announcing his intent to contest only in the next assembly polls — that will be held only in the summer of 2021 — and also by not revealing the name of the party.

That is the weight of the hesitancy baggage that he has been carrying. He finds it difficult to get it off his back.

While his fans have gone berserk following his announcement that he will launch a party and field candidates in all the 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, the reaction of the public has been mixed – from rank optimism to a mere snubbing.


At least three factors seem to put him in balance about the seriousness of his political plunge: He is already 68 and by the time the assembly polls are held in the state in normal course, he will cross 70. And he has not been in the pink of his health.

Known for his core Hindutva sentiments, Rajinikanth has already been seen as BJP’s front man. He has hardly been seen taking up public causes or been on the road with the public during any calamity. Except for his 1996 now famous “bomb culture” and “even God cannot save Tamil Nadu,” he has hardly made his mind known.

Still it could be different this time with him announcing the plan of launching his own party. However, the first opposition for his entry into politics has come from BJP’s troublemaker Subramanian Swamy, who said his entry would make no difference in Tamil Nadu. Swamy also warned the BJP not to go ahead with any plans of aligning with Rajinikanth.

However, political activist and Gandhian movement leader Tamilaruvi Manian feels Rajinikanth will usher in Gandhian principles into the Tamil Nadu politics and help cleanse it.

Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani feels Rajinikanth’s thrust on “spiritual politics” indicates the actor’s confused mindset.

AIADMK Rajya Sabha member and senior party leader V Maitreyan welcomed the actor’s decision to enter politics and wished him all the best. “In a democracy any one can enter politics. Ultimately it is Janata Janardhan who decides”.

Of course, the people in the state will now wait for his next course of action.