TIRUCHY: Preparing the ground for superstar Rajinikanth’s political foray, founder of Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam Tamilaruvi Manian claimed that he has chosen politics to repay the people of Tamil Nadu who have given him demi-god status.
Addressing a meeting on his political debut, Manian said Rajini was capable of ushering in Kamaraj rule in the State.
The actor has set himself three priorities, and finding a solution to inter-state water disputes was paramount. “Rajinikanth shared with me his vision of interlinking south Indian rivers within 10 years (if he assumes power) by leveraging his rapport with the Union government and neighbouring states. Ensuring corruption-free governance and to maintain transparency in ruling the State are his other objectives to enter politics,” Manian claimed.
He, however, did not reveal when Rajini would take the plunge.
Indirectly referring to criticism targeting Rajini’s ethnicity, Manian argued that non-Tamil leaders, such as T Prakasam and Omandur Ramaswamy Reddy of erstwhile Madras Presidency had given good governance to the State.
“People say actors should not rule Tamil Nadu. From 1967 to 2016, all chief ministers were associated with the film industry. Rajinikanth is inclined towards spirituality and respects humanity. Above all, he is the last option for me to keep the Dravidian parties at bay and to revive the State,” Manian added amidst the huge applause from the actor’s fans.
Criticising DMK and AIADMK, Manian said, “Stalin’s dreams of becoming the chief minister, after the internal disaster in AIADMK, would be shattered by Rajinikanth’s arrival on the scene. The DMK working president can never become the chief minister, while the AIADMK has lost its credibility after Jayalalithaa’s demise.”
He also launched a veiled attack at the People’s Welfare Group (PWA) that earlier had the DMDK, VCK, CPM and CPI, saying the alliance failed to secure even 10 per cent votes in Assembly polls.