Fans disheartened, but ready to wait for Superstar to lead

Disappointment was visible on several party cadre and Rajinikanth’s fans faces after the actor announced that he would never contest for the Chief Minister post.

Many of them openly expressed their disappointment while the office-bearers of Rajini Makkal Mandram remained tightlipped trying to hide their dejection. Diehard fans of Superstar Rajinikanth, who were on cloud nine in the morning expecting a major announcement, including the floating of political party, were dejected in the afternoon after there was no information about the political party. 

They silently wound up their plans of celebration on Thursday. Kumar, a Rajini Makkal Mandram

worker, who was waiting outside the venue where Rajinikanth clarified his political stand, said that he was disheartened over the announcement.

However, he said, “We were expecting ‘Thalaivar’ to be our chief minister. He has expressed his view and the cadre should accept what he says. We will continue to follow his leadership.”

The actor’s fans also wanted Rajinikanth to project him as the chief minister candidate for the upcoming elections. “However, he has taken a bold move to dissolve unwanted party posts once the elections are completed. This is a very rare move that none of the parties would take,” Srinivasan, a fan opined.

Balakumaran, a Twitter user had tweeted “at the end of the day, we need the power to change the system. Here vote is for the leader. My personal feel is that it won’t work out if Thalaivar

is not projected as CM. Even fans can’t work with full energy like before.” 

While his fans are expressing disappointment over the announcement and delay in launching the party, some raised doubts about Rajinikanth’s decision of handing over the governance to another person.

“If Rajini keeps the party leader post and hands over governance to another person, who will hold the power. If Rajini keeps the power, CM post will become dummy post. Why should he come to the politics if not wanting to hold power,” another Twitter user asked.

Although Rajinikanth was obviously forced to delay the political entry after majority of district secretaries raised voices against their leader’s vision, one of the district secretaries welcomed the move and said that the announcement is a part of a strategy.

“Our leader has given a wonderful statement. He has promised more opportunity to the youngsters and all our workers accept this. He has lots of strategy for the state development,” AVK Raja, Central Chennai district secretary said.

When asked whether Rajinikanth would start a political party before 2021 Assembly elections, Raja expressed hope and said that the party would contest in the elections. Anti-climax in Tiruchy Meanwhile, in Tiruchy at 11 am, a group of fans gathered in front of the Rajagopruam holding the flags of Rajini Mandram, sweets and crackers anticipating ‘good news’ during the media interaction that was scheduled in Chennai. 

As all the fans who were waiting to know the information, they were waiting there watching the interaction live. Suddenly, the fans who were in celebration mood, found dejected and left the place immediately. Interestingly, the fans had invited media persons and were eagerly waiting to show off their celebrations, but the climax went otherwise. 

It is said that the office-bearers were asked not to speak against the decision in public as it was a strict warning by Rajinikanth. Thus, no one was ready to comment on the decision of Rajinikanth. Still, they raised slogans demanding the actor to float the party immediately. “We are even ready to work for ‘Thalaivar’ day and night if the party was launched. But we need to wait longer and happy to wait for our ‘beloved Thalaivar’, another fan said.