CHENNAI: Amid widespread social media speculation following Chief Minister Vijay’s electoral victory in Tamil Nadu, superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday issued a clarification while interacting with reporters at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai.
Addressing rumours surrounding his equation with Vijay and alleged political dissatisfaction, Rajinikanth said he has known former Chief Minister MK Stalin for several decades and was deeply saddened by Stalin’s defeat in Kolathur. At the same time, he admitted that Vijay defeating two major Dravidian parties came as a surprise to him.
“There is a 28-year age difference between Vijay and me. Why would I be jealous of him becoming Chief Minister?” Rajinikanth said, dismissing allegations that he was unhappy with Vijay’s rise to power. He also reiterated that he had stepped away from politics long ago.
When reporters questioned why he did not attend Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony, Rajinikanth clarified that he has never attended any Chief Minister’s oath-taking event in the past either.
Congratulating Vijay on assuming office, Rajinikanth also had a word of caution for the new Chief Minister’s supporters and party cadre. “His fans and party workers must now be very careful. Whatever they do will ultimately affect Vijay,” he said.
Following the election results, Rajinikanth’s meeting with Stalin had sparked intense political discussion. Social media was flooded with speculation claiming that Rajinikanth had facilitated backchannel talks between the DMK and AIADMK alliances and was unhappy over Vijay becoming Chief Minister. This triggered anger among Vijay fans, who harshly criticised Rajini for allegedly playing a backroom role to torpedo their leader's political rise.
