Speculation started over Rajinikanth's formal entry into politics after a letter emerged
Superstar Rajinikanth today hinted at a rethink on joining electoral politics and said he would announce his stand at an "appropriate time" amid speculation triggered by a letter that many believed was written by him and leaked. "The letter is not mine but the information on my health and doctors' advice is true," Rajinikanth said in a statement.
"I shall discuss with Rajini Makkal Mandram and shall announce my political stand at an appropriate time," said the 69-year-old actor, who has weighed in on various political issues in the past two years but has delayed his formal plunge, unlike his film industry comrade Kamal Haasan, whose party candidates contested last year's Lok Sabha election.
Sources close to Rajinikanth say he will meet with office bearers of his party virtually in the coming days and may announce his decision on electoral politics in the last week of December or early January.
Rajinikanth's statement comes just seven months before the Tamil Nadu election, which was widely believed to be his debut poll. His entry into the election battle was projected as the "x-factor" in Tamil Nadu, a state where film stars have largely transited successfully into politics.
Talk about Rajinikanth reconsidering a future in politics started after a letter started circulating online on Wednesday. The letter appeared to cite the coronavirus pandemic as the reason for the actor dropping his political plans.
The letter seemed to indicate that the actor had been advised by doctors to restrict his movements since he has a kidney condition and could be even more vulnerable to COVID-19. The doctors reportedly advised the veteran actor that a vaccine is the only solution and they were not sure if his body would accept it.
"No one knows when it would come, even if it comes not sure whether your body would accept . Your age is 70 now, you have already undergone kidney transplant, comparing to others your immune system is weak. You can be easily infected. You should not campaign, nor meet people " the doctors are believed to have told the actor.
The letter quoted Rajinikanth as saying "A traditional campaign would bring down my health...I don't worry much about myself; not as much as about those who are around me," the letter was believed to have said.
In March, Rajinikanth had asserted that he would not contest the elections just to become Chief Minister, that he genuinely wanted to see a positive change. "I had the opportunity in 1996 and did not take it up at 45. If I do it now, I would be called a fool," Rajinikanth had said, giving a preview of his political party at a press meet in Chennai.
He had also clarified that he had publicly announced his intention to enter politics only on December 31, 2017, even though people kept referring to his remarks in 1996, which are often seen as the reason J Jayalalithaa and her AIADMK lost that year. "If Jayalalithaa is voted back, even God cannot save Tamil Nadu," he had famously said.