Tamil actor Rajnikanth, who, on 31 December 2017, announced his decision to enter politics, is on a spree to convince people that he is in the political game for real. On Thursday, 4 January 2018, he met senior politician RM Veerapan at his residence in Chennai.
Veerapan was one of the pioneers of the Dravidian movement. He founded the MGR Kazhagam Party and served as a Cabinet minister as well.
A day earlier, Rajinikanth met DMK patriarch Karunanidhi. Is this hinting at a new alliance?
Rajinikanth met RM Veerappan briefly at his residence in Chennai.
(Photo: ANI)
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The Tamil actor clarified that it was only a “courtesy call.”
He is the senior-most politician in the country. I respect him a lot. We have a very good friendship. I took his blessings as I am entering politics. I felt happy after meeting him,Rajinikanth, Tamil actor, to reporters
Rajinikanth said Karunanidhi was “very happy” to hear about his political debut, adding that he made him “happy and energised.”
They Go Way Back
Karunanidhi and Rajinikanth go back a long way.
Back in 1996, it was Rajinikanth's statement, “If Jayalalithaa comes to power, even God cannot save Tamil Nadu” that cost the AIADMK that year's Assembly elections.
In August 2017, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan attended the the 75th anniversary of DMK mouthpiece Murasoli. While Haasan spoke on stage, Rajinikanth reportedly refused to amidst speculations. DMK leaders later explained his he had honoured them with his presence because of his personal relationship with Karunanidhi.
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