Superstar Rajinikanth said today he would announce his long-anticipated political party on December 31 and launch it in January, ending years of speculation.
Rajinikanth, 69, made the announcement a day after he met with senior office bearers of his forum, the Rajini Makkal Mandram. Later on Wednesday, he said he “will announce my decision soon” on his plans for electoral politics.
“District office bearers expressed their opinions. They have said they will agree to whatever decision I take. I will announce my decision as soon as possible,” the 69-year-old told reporters outside his Poes Garden home.
Rajinikanth last went on social media in October to clarify on reports that he was in two minds about his political plans because of his health. The speculation was fueled by a leaked letter, believed to have been written by him.
The letter seemed to indicate that the veteran actor had been advised by doctors to restrict his movements since he has a kidney condition and could be even more vulnerable to COVID-19. The doctors reportedly advised him that a vaccine was the only solution and they were not sure if his body would even accept it.
Stating that he would announce his stand at an “appropriate time”, the actor clarified: “The letter is not mine but the information on my health and doctors’ advice is true.”
Rajinikanth and another actor-turned-politician are widely tipped to be the x-factor in the Tamil Nadu election due in six months.
This is the first election since the death of the state’s two most powerful politicians, J Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK and DMK’s MK Karunanidhi, left a political vacuum.
Rajinikanth, one of the most popular and respected movie stars both in Mumbai and southern states, enjoys a fan following that is unmatched.
