Two days after his discharge from the hospital following his blood pressure fluctuations, actor Rajnikanth, who had earlier announced his political entry with the April-May elections of Tamil Nadu, released a statement regarding his decision to opt-out of the field due to his health condition.
Citing issues related to his well-being, the superstar said, “With extreme sadness I say that I can’t enter politics. I alone know the pain I went through while announcing this decision.”
The actor, however, said that he will aim to help people despite not being in politics. His statement added, “Without entering electoral politics, I will serve the people. This decision of mine will disappoint my fans and people but please forgive me.”
Rajnikanth, who founded his party Rajini Makkal Mandram 2 years back, called his sudden health change as a “warning from God”. Elucidating his reason for backing off, he said, “My hospitalisation was a warning given by God. My campaign will impact health amid the pandemic.”
The actor’s participation in politics had been the talk of the town since the past 25 years as fans waited with bated breath. However, the 70-year old consistently chose not to make the jump.
On December 4th, Rajnikanth had announced his political entry with the establishment of a new party in January next year. With Tamil Nadu’s assembly elections slated for April-May, the actor’s party would come into play five months before it.
In the announcement of the contesting poll, Rajnikanth had assured for a “wonder and miracle” as it is “now or never”. Expressing his confidence regarding the future alleged victory, the actor-turned-politician had said that his party will stand for “spiritual secular politics” with no partialities or involvement of any “caste, creed or religion”.
After years of speculation revolving around the actor’s much anticipated political interest, his announcement came 3 days post his discussion with the senior office bearers of Rajini Makkal Mandram.
In October, Rajnikanth had taken to social media where he said that he was uncertain about entering politics due to his health condition. The news was further ignited when a letter, which was claimed to have been written by Rajinikanth, was leaked.
Though unverified, the letter directed towards the advice given by doctors to the actor for restricting his movement in view of his renal transplant. There were also mentions of him being more vulnerable to covid-19 because of the surgery, including that the only solution for him could be a vaccine, which again doesn’t have solid evidence of getting accepted by his body.
Post the letter’s arrival, the actor clarified though he would make the announcement at an “appropriate time”, it contained some truth, “The letter is not mine but the information on my health and doctors’ advice is true.”
Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan, another actor turned politician famous for his roles in Bollywood movies like Chachi 420, etc., are expected to be the top of the heap contestants for the upcoming elections of Tamil Nadu.
The April-May polls will hold the significance of its own as the battleground of Tamil Nadu has empty spots left behind with the death of the state’s most powerful and popular politicians- J Jayalalithaa of AIADMK party and MK Karunanidhi of DMK.
The actor’s plunge into politics had also paved way for many politicians luring him to join hands with their party to campaign for the elections of TN.
