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Following actor Rajinikanth’s decision to take the political plunge, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has lashed out at the superstar, calling him illiterate and a ‘media hype’.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Swamy said, “He has only announced that he is entering politics. He had no details or documents. He is illiterate. It is only media hype. The people of Tamil Nadu are intelligent.” He further added that he will ‘expose’ Rajini.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “Rajini is an uneducated man. What will he tell us? This is a just an age-old story of another Tamil actor joining politics. I will always oppose Rajinikanth.”
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu BJP welcomed Rajinikanth’s decision to start a political party. State president of the party Tamilisai Soundararajan praised him for his aim to eradicate corruption in Tamil Nadu through his political entry.
On 31 December, dressed in a white kurta and pants, Rajinikanth walked into the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai’s T Nagar to an audience of excited fans and TV cameras that were ready to finally capture the moment. As Rajini walked on stage, the fans cheered for their ‘Thalaivar’, who had announced an announcement less than a week ago.
And minutes later, the question that Tamil Nadu has been asking for decades was answered in six simple words: "My entry into politics is certain."
To a roaring audience, Rajinikanth said, "I will form my own political party and contest from all 234 seats in the next assembly election."
He further added, "About Lok Sabha polls, I will decide then. I am not here for money or fame, you have already given that to me a thousand times over. I am not enamored by position or post.
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