Superstar Rajinikanth sets the stage as Tamil Nadu goes into election mode?

 

Tamil Nadu has been fighting the coronavirus pandemic with all its might since the beginning of 2020. If people of the state thought there could be some calm as the year nears its end, well there’s more in store for 2021.

The Dravidian state will have to get into election mode and perhaps see spiritual politics make its foray. The intro scene of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth seems to have begun in Vellore with posters lining the streets calling for a change in governance and politics. His fans have already given him the title ‘Makkal Thalaivar’ following in the footsteps of former CM MG Ramachandran (MGR) being termed ‘Puratchi Thalaivar’.

It’s common knowledge that fandom is extremely intense in Tamil Nadu. Rajini apart, fans of actor Vijay too have laid the pitch for Thalapathy’s political entry, hailing him as the next MGR.

Rajini’s poster says, “Maatrathai sindhikkum makkalum, makkalai pattri sindhikkum thalaivarum ondrinainthaal, arasiyal mattram, aatchi maatram. Ippo illaina eppavume illai (If people who desire change and a leader who worries about people get together, change in governance and politics is possible. If not now, it’s never).”

“Isn’t this what people want?” said Akbar Pasha, joint secretary, Rajini Makkal Mandram, adding that this poster is more like a “wake-up call”. “It is our desire to see him as CM, but we will abide by whatever he chooses. This is not a party that chases posts,” he said.

 Is the superstar ready to deliver a blockbuster in the upcoming election? “Our thalaivar has said quite some time ago that we must be ready for the battle, and we are,” said Akbar Pasha, stressing on the fact that Rajinikanth’s ‘aanmeega arasiyal (spiritual politics)’ highlights sincerity.

However, another star delivering blockbusters in Tamil cinema is Vijay, whose fans have readied posters welcoming their hero into politics. This poster says, “Makkal Thilakathin maru uruvame, ungal varugaikaaga kaathirukkirom. Viraivil varuga. Nallaatchi tharuga (You are an incarnation of MGR. We are waiting for your political entry. Come soon and give us good governance).” 

“We are welcoming our Thalapathy into politics. Vijay is a person who has helped many anonymously. And people will surely trust him, for he is our next MGR,” said R Velmurugan, district president of Vijay’s fan association in Vellore.

MGR, however, can belong to AIADMK alone, said D Jayakumar, party leader and Tamil Nadu minister. “We can’t interfere with the interests of these fans. Let them praise our party leaders MG Ramachandran sir or Jayalalithaa madam, but let’s not forget that only AIADMK has an exclusive relationship with them,” said Jayakumar. AIADMK can comment only when these Tamil cinema stars start their respective political parties, he added.

DMK echoed the same sentiment. Sources in the party said they’d be willing to comment only when these heroes enter politics in a full-fledged manner. One of them even said that with the huge gap that has risen due to COVID-19, Rajini may think twice about stepping into politics and may do so only if BJP pressurises.

“Rajini has clarified several times that he wears the spiritual cloth and not the saffron one,” said Akbar Pasha. He further said, “Singham single ah dhaan varum (the lion will make its entry all alone).”

Fans of Thalaivar and Thalapathy seem to respect each other’s love for their leaders. However, authorities of Rajini Makkal Mandram have warned their members not to put up posters until further orders.