CHENNAI: Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth has once again caught the attention of not just his fans but also the general public and political commentators with his overt and covert remarks about taking a plunge into politics. He has been keeping himself away for the last few decades since openly supporting the DMK-led alliance 21 years ago.
Although he left everyone guessing, his words of ‘let us face the war when it comes’, were seen as a sign of his political ambitions.
However, it is not going to be easy for him to emerge a hero in the tricky world of politics, something he has done so successfully on the silver screen. The big question mark in the minds of political observers is whether he still possesses the firepower to inspire new-generation voters in the age group of 18-25.
“The youngsters seem to have lost faith in the political leadership.
That’s why they have come forward to fight for the State’s causes, be it jallikattu or the hydrocarbon project. Being a status quoist, Rajinikanth cannot live up to the expectations of these youngsters,” says D Ravikumar, a writer and Dalit leader.
“It is doubtful whether a pro-establishment man will raise his voice in a virulent manner against the centre to get back the rights of Tamil Nadu and win the hearts of the rebellious youngsters,” Ravikumar states.
Political commentator and senior Congress leader S Peter Alphonse feels similarly. “There will not be any windfall for the film star,” he says.
Emphasising that Rajinikanth wasted a better opportunity in 1996 to try his hand at politics, Alphonse notes the actor was youthful then, as were his fans, but the case is different now as the outlook of youngsters has seen a big change.
“Youngsters want employment, corruption-free governance. Their idea about politics and leadership has undergone a tremendous change,” he notes. “Can Rajinikanth adapt to modern day politics?”
Although saying that it is too early to air views on the impact of the entry of the superstar, political and economic commentator Dr Venkatesh Athreya opines the stocks seems to be low for the actor to make his political debut.
“When MGR came to politics, the time was too good. But the scene now could be quite hard for Rajinikanth”, he observes.
If Rajinikanth does step in, Athreya feels politics may again move towards being personality based rather than policy based.
On the positive side, however, Rajinikanth may find the downtrodden and soft Hindutva forces rallying around him if he takes the plunge.
Ravikumar, a former MLA, assumes the film star may corner 6-8% votes, like DMDK founder and actor Vijayakant in the initial stages, but may find it too difficult to sustain.
Superstar will not join national or regional party: Thirunavukkarasar
CHENNAI: Amid the Bharatiya Janata Party’s bid to woo Rajinikanth, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president S Thirunavukkarasar on Sunday stated that the actor would start his own party if he takes the plunge. “I have known him for 30-40 years. I don’t think he will join any national or regional party. Instead, he will begin his own,” Thirunavukkarasar told reporters during an event observing the 26th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi here. He added that Rajinikanth would take a call on the possible alliance once the new outfit takes shape.
Association leader questions Rajini stand on agriculture & State rights
CUDDALORE: An association leader from Cuddalore district has posed several questions to Rajinikanth regarding his stand on agriculture development and State rights. KV Elankeeran, president of the Federation of Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, said he had sent those to the actor’s residential address. The actor, who has hinted he might join the political scene, was asked questions ranging from the river-linking project to his silence on farmer suicides. Accusatory in nature, one question dealt with why he didn’t open up his marriage hall during the 2015 floods.
Film stars who set foot in politics...
MG Ramachandran
Popularly known as MGR, he was the most successful actor to capture power in Tamil Nadu on his own by posting an overwhelming win in the 1977 elections, just five years after he began AIADMK by breaking away from the parent organisation DMK
J Jayalalithaa
She won the polls due to her personality, charisma and respect she commanded within the party. After suffering humiliation by MGR loyalists at the leader’s funeral, she rose to become the chief minister in 1991 and breathed her last while on the throne in 2016
NT Rama Rao
He was unique in Andhra Pradesh as no other film star could replicate his success in their bid to capture power. Playing poignant roles in films, the actor took a plunge into politics and succeeded in his mission
Sivaji Ganesan
The thespian could not captivate the voters as much as his fans (by playing the roles with perfection and dexterity). Although he began his own party, he could not convert the massive following into votes
Vijayakant
He was a promising political leader in the initial stages but found the going tough later. His party, DMDK, secured a little below 10% in the beginning but performed abysmally in the May 2016 Assembly polls. His party looks like a shadow of its old self
Chiranjeevi
A veteran of over 150 films, Chiranjeevi founded the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, before merging it with the Congress in 2014. In October 2012, he was sworn in as the Union Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Vijaya Shanthi
After a 30-year career and over 186 films, she joined the BJP in 1998. Later she started Talli Telangana in 2009, which she merged into Telangana Rashtra Samithi. She eventually joined the Congress in 2014