Jaya’s Gone, Karunanidhi’s Ill, I’m Here to Fill the Void: Rajini

Rajinikanth unveiled a statue of MG Ramachandran at Dr MGR Institute on account of its 30th anniversary.

In his first public speech after making a political entry in December 2017, Rajinikanth said he decided to make a political entry to fill in the void created by great leaders like J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi. He said Jayalalithaa was a great leader and he has learnt a lot from Karunanidhi.

Jayalalithaa was a brilliant leader. There is no replacement for her governance. Karunanidhi is someone I have learnt a lot from and now he is missing from action. And so I have decided to step in to fill that void.

Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth, who was speaking at the Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai, also unveiled a statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran (MGR) on account of the university’s 30th anniversary, on Monday, 5 March.

Training guns at the current All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government, he said he expected it to organise a film event when it celebrated 100 years of MGR, since he belonged to the film industry, but none of the actors were invited.

I was looking forward to an event where all film dignitaries will be called. But I was disappointed that none of us were invited? Why does the government hate the TN film industry so much?

Rajinikanth

He further went on to say that he had to step into politics since the present government wasn't doing its duty. He said that he didn't expect the AIADMK to welcome him in politics and alleged the party of discouraging people like him.

Calling MGR a 'yug purush', he said that governance for people was MGR's ideology and he is here to replicate it. Promising clean, good and people-oriented governance, he said there will not be another MGR in the next 1,000 years. However, Rajinikanth is anti-Tamil.

After having close relationship with M Karunanidhi, GK Moopanar and others I learned a lot about politics. Politics is a way where there are snakes, thorns and difficulties.

Rajinikanth

Actors Prabhu, son of late thespian Sivaji Ganesan, and Vijayakumar were amongst those from the film industry present on the occasion.

This was Rajinikanth's first major public engagement since he revealed his political intentions on December 31, 2017.

Retorting to the allegations thrown by Rajini against the party, Ponnaiyan, AIADMK chief spokesperson, told ANI, “The AIADMK is like an eagle... it flies very high. Sparrows can't keep pace with that of an eagle. The legacy of MGR is strongly with the AIADMK. No one can take that away.”

Fisheries Minister Jayakumar also called out Rajini’s speech.

There are several contradictions in Rajini’s speech. He says students should not interfere in politics, but he spoke about politics in a students gathering. 

Jayakumar, Fisheries Minister and AIADMK leader, to ANI

DMK leader MK Stalin too, commented on Rajini’s statement, saying: “There is no political vacuum in Tamil Nadu. I cannot accept that. People will vote for DMK when election is announced,” reports ANI.

Political Hoardings Stoke Controversy

After huge banners welcoming Rajinikanth were placed close to six kilometres on the stretch of a main road in Chennai’s Maduravoyal leading to the MGR institute, the actor-turned-politician requested his fans not to put up illegal hoardings.

The banners were put to welcome Rajinikanth at the 30th anniversary event of the institute.

I think my fans have erected banners, disturbing free flow of public movement is violation of High Court orders. I request the fans not to indulge in such activities. I apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Rajinikanth

The banners had stoked controversy after a well-known activist, Traffic Ramaswamy, alleged that the posters have been put up in violation of rules and are causing problems for pedestrians. He has threatened to complain to the Madras High Court on Tuesday, 6 March, reported NDTV.

“I will be visiting the area of Maduravoyal up to Valasaravakkam as thousands of Rajini banners have been erected at the expense of pedestrian life. If not removed, I will remove them”, said Ramaswamy, according to The News Minute (TNM).

Speaking to TNM, Jayaraman Venkatesan of Arappor Iyakkam called it a violation of municipal laws as well as contempt of court. He also said if Rajinikanth wants to create change in the system, he has to openly tell his cadre to not put up such banners.

Demanding an apology from the politician, Jayaraman had said, “He must apologise for this whole thing and an FIR must be filed against all those people who have been involved in putting up these illegal banners”.

Earlier in the day, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan made a snide remark on the aforementioned billboards of Rajinikanth earning the wrath of pedestrians, saying "change must begin from within”.

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