BJP to gain from Rajini’s entry, feel critics

It did not go unnoticed by critics in a state where atheist and self-respect principles have ruled the roost for over half a century. Writer and VCK general secretary Ravikumar had even pre-empted the symbol correction and said on the very first day that Rajini was given the ‘assignment’ of splitting the political field of Tamil Nadu and preparing it for communalism.

Another staunch critic of Rajini’s spiritual politics, coordinator of Thannaatchi Tamizhagam (Autonomous Tamil Nadu) Aazhil Senthilnathan said, “There was no secret. Rajinikanth has publicly admitted his saffron affiliation by stating that he would have been happy if Cho Ramaswamy were alive to witness him taking the political plunge. He did not want cadres, he said and he needs kavalargal (police),” alleging that the actor would use the fan club members like the right-wing vigilante in other states to create a front for the BJP.

“The ruling BJP did it in Karnataka where it used Shri Ram Sena. It was Shiv Sena in Maharastra and VHP in UP. In Tamil Nadu, the BJP tried the AIADMK, but it did not work. So, the BJP is using Rajinikanth. He will not lose anything even if his political debut fails. He would have left a front for the BJP even if he does not succeed,” Senthilnathan remarked.