Rajinikanth fans to brainstorm on Apr 2, may persuade star to join politics

Though the meeting is sought to be given a political colour, he steered clear of entering politics

Fans of Rajinikanth will meet on April 2 here for a consultative meet in which they are hoping for the superstar's participation.

A meeting of the Rajinikanth Fans Association has been convened for "consultations," a senior functionary said without divulging details.

The sudden announcement about the meeting has triggered speculation on whether the actor will be once again persuaded to take the political plunge, a demand which he has been resisting.

The fans have been urging the actor to join politics for the past several years, even as some political parties have tried to woo him in view of his mass appeal.

The coming meeting was likely to be on the scale of the 2009 interaction of all the district functionaries of the fans association.

Evading a direct reply on the agenda and whether Rajinkanth would address the fans, a functionary told PTI that it was only a "meeting" of office-bearers and there was nothing more.

Another functionary speaking on condition of anonymity said such a meeting involving office-bearers of all districts had last happened in 2009 after the success of his movie "Sivaji."

"Such a meeting is long pending. We have been requesting it for long," the office-bearer said declining to speak on its agenda.

Asked whether Rajinikanth would address the fans, he said "It is our expectation that he would come."

The meeting comes close on the heels of the superstar cancelling his next month's visit to Sri Lanka to inaugurate a housing scheme for displaced Tamils in Jaffna following protests by some outfits here.

In a statement earlier in the day, Rajinikanth thanked Sri Lankan Tamils for their love and affection and expressed optimism that he would meet them when the time was right.

Following the cancellation of the actor's visit, the Tamils in Jaffna had taken out a rally in his support.

"We will meet at an appropriate time. I pray to god for your well-being," the actor said in the statement.

Though the April 2 meeting is sought to be given a political colour, the superstar has always steered clear of entering politics.

Even recently after film music director and BJP candidate for the April 12 R K Nagar assembly byelection Gangai Amaran met him, Rajinikanth clarified he was supporting none in the polls.

The superstar had in 1996 supported the DMK-Tamil Maanila Congress combine which went onto sweep the assembly elections then, defeating Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK.