Rajinikanth rules out contesting TN assembly bypolls; Kamal to

Top film star Rajinikanth Sunday ruled out contesting the bypolls to the Tamil Nadu Assembly even as his contemporary Kamal Haasan said he would be among his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) candidates for the key electoral battle in the state.

"No" was the terse reply by Rajinikanth when asked about contesting the byelections since he had declared last month that his target was assembly polls and not Lok Sabha.

The actor is yet to launch his party though on December 31, 2017, he had announced he would make the political plunge and would contest all 234 seats in the assembly elections.

Haasan, talking to reporters here separately later, said his party has been allotted the torch light symbol by the Election Commission.

"It is a very suitable symbol and we thank the Election Commission for it," he said.

To a question, he said his party would be contesting in the bypolls to the 18 assembly constituencies, to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections on April 18. "Sure, we are making all necessary arrangements."
Asked whether he had meant a national or a regional party when he had mentioned last month that only the party which would solve the "water problem" of the state should be supported, he said "Both."
Haasan, when asked whether he would seek Rajinikanth's support, said rather than he seeking his backing, his actor friend extending it would be a "big thing."
On liquor ban, the MNM leader said it was not possible to immediately implement prohibition and only a phased dry law was possible. Haasan, when asked whether he would seek Rajinikanth's support, said rather than he seeking his backing, his actor friend extending it would be a "big thing."