The wildly popular Indian cinema icon who inspires almost god-like adulation in Tamil Nadu, announced his entry into politics on December 31.
In an announcement that could dramatically alter political alignments in Tamil Nadu, superstar Rajinikanth today announced his political debut and said he will launch his own party which will contest all 234 constituencies in the next assembly polls in the state.
The announcement ends two decades of speculation over the entry of the actor, who enjoys cult status in Tamil cinema, in the political arena.
His fans called it Tamil Nadu's New Year's Gift
"December 31 will be marked as the New Year for Tamil Nadu. A new era and a new ray of hope have started. Thalaivar is going to bring accountability, transparency and good governance," a fan told ANI.
Here are 10 important points from Rajinikanth's speech that confirmed he would soon be joining politics.
1. I am not scared of entering politics, I am afraid of the media. Whatever I say will become a debate issue.
2. I am surely coming to politics. In the next Assembly election, I will launch a political party and contest from all the 234 seats
3. I don't want cadres. I want saviours who will not work for their own benefit but question wrongdoings. I will be a representative who will watch over this
4. I could have taken power in 1996. But I did not have political ambition at 45, so will I have it when I am 68?
5. Politics has become very tainted. Democracy has become battered. The political climate in TN has made us hang our heads in shame. If I don't act now, I will feel guilty that I didn't act. I want to change the entire political system. We need politics devoid of caste and religion. We need 'spiritual' politics.
6. Earlier Kings would loot the country and the people invaded by them. Now in the name of democracy, politicians who are coming to power started looting their own people. It is time for a change.
7. This is politics, not cinema. We need to bring others onboard if we want to change. We have to prepare for the democratic challenge with discipline and decorum.
8. I will start a political party before State Assembly Elections. Till then, I request fans not to speak about politics, speak ill of any political party.
9. If we are not able to fulfil the promises, we will resign from the government in three years time
10. Truth, hard work and progress is our motto. My principle is to think good, speak good, do good, and good things will happen.
(With agencies inputs)
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