Not entering electoral politics, announces Rajinikanth

Chennai: Scripting anti-climax to his political dreams,Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday said that he would not plunge in politics launching a party, citing his frail health.He described it as a sign from God to not pursue it further.

"All because of my health condition. I am looking at this as a warning given to me by the God," the actor said.

Discharged from a Hyderabad hospital on Sunday, after being treated for blood pressure fluctuations,he expressed concerns over his followers facing "mental and economic" problems in the due course of the political journey.

He indicated he did not want to sound chivalrous by saying he will join politics despite his severe health concerns and that he did not want to "make a victim" of his supporters now.

In a three page letter posted on his Twitter handle, Rajinikanth said despite severe precautions taken at the shooting of "Annatthe" movie four persons tested positive for coronavirus.

"Therefore, I inform with great regret I am unable to come to politics by floating a political party. Only I know the pain behind making this announcement," the 70 year-old actor said the statement.

The actor said while he tested negative for Coronavirus, his blood pressure fluctuated and hence was hospitalised in Hyderabad.He said the doctors had advised him that fluctuating blood pressure will affect his transplanted kidney.

He said the movie shooting got postponed resulting in the loss of crores of rupees and jobs for many.

The actor also said it is not possible to bring out an uprising amongst the people campaigning via social media after floating a party.

"I have to address public meetings, meet lakhs of people," he said.

According to him, even in a group of 120 persons (movie shooting team) he was in hospital for three days owing to some people testing positive for coronavirus. And now there is a new virus mutant.

Rajinikanth said as he is taking immunosuppressants, anti-coronavirus vaccine may not be effective and if his health gets affected his fellow political passengers might face various problems.

He also tendered his apologies to his fans and others who would be disappointed with his decision of not entering politics. He, however said he would serve people in whatever ways he can without entering electoral politics.

The actor also recalled his remarks that he would enter politics even risking his life. Earlier the actor had also said that it the people's victory if his party wins the elections and it is people's loss if his party losses at the hustlings.

The actor had earlier said he would announce his political plans on December 31 to float the party in January 2021 and before that he has to complete his movie commitments.He had also declared that he would face the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

On December 31, 2017, Rajinikanth had announced his decision to float a political party to practice 'spiritual politics' and contest all 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu in 2021.

The actor said at that time that his entry into politics was a "compulsion of time" since the country's politics had gone wrong.

Rajinikanth had remarked that while earlier kings would invade other countries and loot them, nowadays political parties were looting their own people under the guise of democracy. The system needs a change, he added.

After 2017, The actor has voiced his views on some issues. In the wake of anti-Sterlite Copper smelter plant protest in Tuticorin and killing of 13 persons in police firing, he said that Tamil Nadu would turn into a graveyard if protests were held for everything.

Later, he said that he was not a mouthpiece of the BJP and attempts were being made to paint him in saffron.

With Tuesday's announcement, Rajinikanth has downed the curtains for his political plunge and the long run show that ran for several decades has finally come to an end.

(With inputs from agencies)