Chennai: South superstar-turned-politician Rajinikanth has said the BJP “is attempting to saffronise” him but he “will not be trapped” — a comment seen by many as an attempt to end speculation he may tie up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party. Referring to a recent controversy triggered by Tamil Nadu BJP, which released photos of ancient Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar dressed in saffron, the 68-year-old actor said he, like Tiruvalluvar, “would not get trapped”.
“The BJP has not made any offer to me to join them. Attempts (are being) made to paint me with BJP colour. Like Tiruvalluvar, attempts (are being) made to saffronise me. I will not get trapped, nor will Tiruvallur,” he said on Friday, responding to a question about Tamil Nadu BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan reportedly inviting him to join the party.
The comment comes only days after the centre announced he is to be honoured with the Icon of Golden Jubilee award at the International Film Festival of India, to be held in Goa later this month.
Two years ago the actor-politician, who said he would enter the political arena “if God willed”, said he would launch his party ahead of the next Assembly elections – currently scheduled for 2021. His statement came at a time when the ruling AIADMK was in the midst of power struggle between Chief Minister E Palaniswami and his predecessor O Paneerselvam.
Fast forward to 2019 and the deaths of icons and former Chief Ministers M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa has led to renewed speculation superstars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan could now play key roles. “There is still a leadership vacuum in Tamil Nadu,” Rajinikanth said.
The actor also met Prime Minister Modi before the 2014 general election in a meeting many saw as a tacit attempt by the BJP to claim his support. That didn’t work – the party won just one seat.
The BJP’s fortunes did not improve in the 2019 elections either; the BJP drew a blank and its ally, the AIADMK, got one seat.
Rajinikanth also appealed for calm ahead of a verdict, expected next week, in the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute. “I appeal to everyone to keep calm however Ayodhya verdict goes,” he said.
The actor’s remark about the BJP trying to “saffronise” him were made after actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan and he unveiled a bust of late Tamil film director K Balachander at the Makkal Needhi Maiam chief’s production offices in Chennai.
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