PM Modi as Charismatic as Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi: Rajinikanth

Actor Rajinikanth praised Narendra Modi’s victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Rajinikanth said neither he nor his party Rajini Makkal Mandram would be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@smitha_tarur)

Showering praise on Narendra Modi for his victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, actor Rajinikanth said, “This victory is a victory for Modi. He is a charismatic leader. In India, after Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, Modi is now a charismatic leader.”

Addressing reporters outside his residence at Poes Garden in Chennai, he appreciated the BJP government for their resounding win.

“I appreciate the NDA. Nitin Gadkari has brought the Godavari-Kaveri project. this needs to be appreciated,” he added. “Definitely they have to take Tamil Nadu seriously and come with food projects for the state.”

Commenting on the Congress, he said, “It is very difficult to handle the Congress party. It is an age-old party. As a youngster, it is very difficult to handle the senior-most people in the Congress. As per my observation, the senior leaders they are not cooperative, they haven't worked hard well...”

When asked about Congress President Rahul Gandhi tendering his resignation, Rajinikanth said, “I won’t say he lacks leadership. As a youngster, it is difficult to handle senior leaders. They haven’t worked hard.”

“He (Rahul Gandhi) should not resign, he should prove he can do to. In a democracy, the opposition should also be strong.”

Actor Rajinikanth

Reports suggested that Narendra Modi had invited the actor for the swearing-in ceremony. Rajini said, “I will be going for the swearing-in ceremony.”

Modi will administer the oath of office for his second term along with his new Council of Ministers on 30 May 2019 by President Ram Nath Kovind. Modi is the first BJP leader who has been elected for the second time after completion of a full tenure, a feat so far achieved only by two Congress leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Rajinikanth had tweeted on 23 May, after the counting of votes showed an obvious massive win for the BJP, “Respected dear Narendra Modi ji hearty congratulations...You made it. God bless.”

He had announced he would soon join politics but has still not announced his political party.

He has said that his party will contest all 234 seats in the next Tamil Nadu Assembly polls due in 2021.

“There was a pro-Modi wave in the country, barring Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, there was no Modi wave. Anyone who swims against the tide will sink.”

Rajinikanth