Rajinikanth will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The 68-year-old actor turned politician announced on Sunday that he will contest only in the Tamil Nadu elections.
In a statement issued in Chennai, the Tamil cinema legend added that his yet-to-be-formed party will not support any other party in the Lok Sabha election. He also said that no one will be allowed to use his photo, the flag and symbol of Rajini Makkal Mandram, or his fan club.
“My party hasn’t supported any other party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. So no one should use my photo, or no flags of Rajini Makkal Mandram and Rajini Fan Club should be used to support any campaign or any party,” he said.
His statement ends months of speculations on whether he will enter politics.
Rajinikanth said in a statement that the water crisis was a major issue faced by the people of Tamil Nadu. He urged the people to vote for a party that would form a strong government and solve the state’s water problem permanently.
Rajini Makkal Mandram is the official fan club of Rajinikanth, seen as a precursor to his party.
Rajinikanth had announced his decision to join politics in December 2017, just months before actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan launched his party – Makkal Needhi Maiam.
Rajinikanth had previously stated his intention of contesting in all the 234 Assembly segments in Tamil Nadu, which is due in 2021.