Leaders express mixed reaction to Rajini’s stand of not contesting LS polls

State Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar on Sunday said that the decision of Rajinikanth is based on his agenda and objective which is not the case with the AIADMK. “Every party has its own agenda. AIADMK’s agenda is to meet people and to win elections with the support of the people,” he said.

Rajinikanth, in a statement, on Sunday, said that he will skip the Parliament elections and will face the Assembly elections, in 2021. He also asked the people to vote for a party which will solve the problem of water crisis in the state and further stated that he will not support any other party in the Parliament elections.

The statement of Rajinikanth had shocked not just his fans but also many in political circles as it was thought that he would support the BJP in the upcoming elections.

Politicians from various parties commented on the issue on a different note.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan said that Rajinikanth had indirectly criticised the BJP through his statement. “The BJP was the party that failed miserably in solving the water crisis of Tamil Nadu by allowing Karnataka to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for constructing a dam across Cauvery River in Mekedatu. Rajinikanth had indirectly asked people not to vote for the BJP,” said Mutharasan.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said that the announcement of Rajinikanth was a huge disappoint for his fans and supporters. “His (Rajinkanth’s) fans were waiting for positive news from him but he has cheated his fans by saying that he will not contest in Parliamentary elections.” 

However, BJP national secretary H Raja said that it was the decision of Rajinikanth and it has nothing to do with the BJP. “Rajinikanth decided to skip the Parliamentary election and let us respect his decision,” said Raja.

Another AIADMK senior leader KP Munusamy said that let Rajinikanth meet people first and then can decide about contesting elections. “He is addressing the media alone and is not ready to meet the people. Unlike him AIADMK is always with people,” he said.

BJP leader SVe Shekher in his tweet welcomed the statement of Rajinikanth. “It is a great statement. I am happy. Our vote is for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had solved the Cauvery crisis,” he said.