Rajini regretting choice of Manian as his political advisor: DMK chief Stalin

Superstar Rajinikanth’s political ambitions are now well known with the Tamil actor himself having announced his plans to enter into politics in January 2021. This has come as an extra headache for the DMK ahead of next year’s state election, but no direct remark has been made by it so far.

DMK chief MK Stalin on Monday reserved his comment on the actor’s political plunge and said he’d comment on it only after Rajinikanth floats his party and announces his ideology.

“Anybody can join politics, let Rajinikanth launch his party first and say what is his political policy, then I will comment on it. I came to know he is regretting his decision of choosing Tamilaruvi Manian as his political advisor,” said Stalin, reported news agency PTI.

While the AIADMK, rival of the DMK, has dropped hints of a possible alliance with the actor’s new outfit, Stalin said he’s not heard of any reports of any tie-up with his own party. The BJP too is hopeful of a tie-up with the actor, The Federal has reported.

Rajinikanth will be making formal announcement regarding his party on December 31 and launch it in January next year. The matinee idol made the announcement last week after meeting the office-bearers of his outfit, Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM).

Ahead of the party’s launch next month, Rajinikanth, 69, paid a visit to his elder brother R Sathyanarayana Rao in Bengaluru, where he grew up. “We hadn’t met for quite some time. He came last (Sunday) night and left this (Monday) morning for Chennai after spending some good time,” said Rao, 77, on Monday.

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Rajinikanth sought the blessings of his brother, who wished him good health and a long life.
Rao declined to offer comments on the political innings of his brother. “Didn’t he say that he (Rajinikanth) will talk about that on December 31?” Rao said.

Rao recalled that Rajinikanth spent his childhood in the city, where he was born, and lived there till the age of 22 before shifting to Chennai. “He (Rajinikanth) has ‘gurukripa’ (grace of the guru),” he said. “He is a man of his word. He definitely does what he says. He always keeps his word,” Rao added.

(With inputs from agencies)