Rajinikanth Fans Burn Sarath Kumar’s Portraits Over His Opposition To Superstar’s Political Entry 

Chennai: Provoked by Sarath Kumar's statement that he would be the first to oppose Rajinikanth's political entry, the superstar's fans staged protests in Chennai. They burnt the portraits of Sarath Kumar and warned him of serious consequences if he continues with his stand on Rajini's political entry.

With the new row over the superstar's political entry, Tamil Nadu political scene is hotting up. Though there was no clear indication from Rajinikanth on his political entry, his fans seem to have concluded that his entry into politics is a certainty. The pressure from fans has been increasing on Rajinikanth for his political entry especially after the demise of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in December.

Cho has told Rajinikanth several times that he should come into politics. Tamil Nadu needs you. That is our position in Thuglak and mine.

The demand for Rajini's political entry is mounting from several quarters besides his fans. For decades now, fans, and political leaders across party lines have been urging Tamil superstar Rajinikanth to join politics. On Saturday, RSS ideologue, Chartered Accountant and newly-appointed Thuglak Editor S. Gurumurthy urged the star to take the plunge.

Speaking to reporters following the 47th anniversary of Thuglak magazine and its annual conclave in Chennai, Gurumurthy said, "Rajinikanth won’t enter politics just because I want him to. He should take the decision himself. People who will do good for Tamil Nadu should join politics."

He also added that Cho Ramaswamy, the late editor of the magazine and a long-time friend of the actor had urged Rajini to take the plunge on several occasions. "Cho has told Rajinikanth several times, you should come into politics. Tamil Nadu needs you. That is our position in Thuglak and mine," Gurumurthy said.

Given the fact that Tamil Nadu’s politics is deeply intertwined with the film industry, with five Chief Ministers having their roots in Kollywood, political parties have, over the years, attempted to capitalize on Rajinikanth’s mass appeal. The most famous example cited is the 1996 Assembly elections when Rajinikanth’s punchline, "Even God can’t save Tamil Nadu if Jayalalithaa is voted back to power," helped the DMK-TMC combine sweep the polls.

He has, in the past, taken political positions - whether on the Hogenakkal water issue or the interlinking of rivers. During the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Rajini pledged his vote for the BJP-led NDA alliance, noting that the saffron party would strive for interlinking of all rivers in India.

Ahead of the 2014 Parliamentary elections, then Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi visited Rajinikanth at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai. Although Rajini said there was nothing political about Modi’s visit, the timing of the high-profile visit was not lost on anyone.

The Tamil Nadu politics are taking twists and turns every other day and Rajini entry news into politics is not new and everyone is hearing this, since two decades. But Rajini did not enter politics and once again, the news has gathered strength, with the demise of Jayalalithaa. Sarath Kumar made controversial comments against Rajini's political entry, by stating that he would be the first to oppose his entry. This irked Rajini fans and carried protests against Sarath Kumar, burning his effigies.