I can fill the vacuum created in Tamil Nadu politics, says Rajinikanth

This was Rajinikanth's first public speech since his political entry in December 2017

Tamil film star Rajinikanth on Monday said that he would be able to fill the vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics. While inaugurating a statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran at the Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai, the actor-turned-politician said he would provide good governance to people of the state and work towards upliftment of the poor and downtrodden.

“I can repeat the good governance that MGR provided,” Rajinikanth said while addressing gathering of students, fans and supporters.

This was his first public speech since his political entry in December 2017.

His comments on 'vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics' and his political foray comes after AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa's demise in December 2016. DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi is also out of active politics.

All roads leading up to the venue were decked up and had towering posters, hoardings and buntings of the Thalaivar, indicating that enthusiasm of his fan clubs in making his first political event a smashing success.

“Politicians have been asking me why are you coming into politics, leaving the grease-paint and arc lights? It is because you people are not doing the job that I have to come to politics,” Rajinikanth said.

Rajinikanth unveils a statue of former chief minister M G Ramachandran at the Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai (Photo: PTI)

“I do not expect the existing political parties to welcome me when I am entering politics. I also know, politics is not a bed of flowers,” Rajinikanth said. He said that he had learnt politics by watching Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa.

Rajinikanth said when I talked about 'spiritual politics', I was referring to cleanliness. My politics will be clean,” he said.

But the superstar posed a counter question to ask if those who believe in Dravidian politics, did they not believe in God?

“It is a small issue spiritual politics, but has become a big issue,” Rajinikanth said.

 “Even if I start a political party, do not enter the party, while you are still a student,” Rajinikanth said.