Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth announced that he would not be entering politics owing to his ill health and the pandemic situation. His announcement came two days before he was to reveal details of the launch of his political party. In a three-page statement that he posted on Twitter, the actor expressed regret and said it pained him to make such an announcement after having said he would contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2021. “It is with profound regret that I have to say that I will neither be launching my political party nor entering politics. Nobody can understand my pain in making this decision,” he wrote.
Rajinikanth was briefly hospitalised in Hyderabad for three days for fluctuations in blood pressure. He was discharged recently. Rajinikanth, whose political entry has been rumoured since 1996, acknowledged that he had promised to enter politics “even if there was a risk to my life”. However, in his statement, he said he did not want to sacrifice the lives of others by taking the plunge.
“After announcing that I would be starting a party in January, I participated in the shooting of Annaatthe in Hyderabad against the advice of doctors. We were taking all necessary precautions during the shoot with 120 people. In spite of that, four people tested positive for Covid-19. I tested negative but had fluctuations in my blood pressure. Medically, I should not have any fluctuations because of my kidney transplant. I was under the supervision of doctors for three days.”
The actor said that once he forms a political party, he will not be able to win by only campaigning virtually. “All those with enough political experience will not deny this fact… I might have to attend several meetings, go for campaigns and meet large number of people. With a small shoot of just 120 people, I had to spend three days in the hospital. With the mutation of Covid-19, even if there is a vaccine, I will be putting people at risk while campaigning,” he said.
The actor apologised to the people who had been looking forward to his political debut and the functionaries of Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM) for his decision. Lauding the efforts of the RMM in helping people amid the lockdown, the actor said their good deeds would not go in vain. Rajinikanth said he would continue to serve the public without entering politics and ended his letter by urging the people of Tamil Nadu and his fans to accept his decision.
