Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Rajinikanth enters politics' that was published in Newsband

Rajinikanth enters politics

On New Year’s Eve, Tamil film star Rajinikanth announced his decision to enter politics, With the AIADMK in disarray and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi politically inactive on account of age-related ill-health, this is the right time for Rajinikanth to make his entry into politics. Actor Kamal Haasan too had spoken of his intention to start a party.

Rajinikanth could be seeing this as an opportune moment to cash in on his fan base. Rajinikanth’s mass appeal is like in the case of AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa,

Rajinikanth says that his politics will be “spiritual” and neither religious nor casteist. His success in politics is likely to be determined by whether he can project himself as a person people can trust. He assures that he will resign three years after he is voted to power if he is unable to fulfil his yet-to-be-made promises.

Rajinikanth must be aware that charisma is a powerful force in Tamil Nadu politics, enough to catapult others before him to power. His eye seems to fixed on the next State Assembly election. But mere presence in the cinema does NOT mean they are "stars" in politics too.

The State is really in turmoil and corruption ridden. DMK has failed to encash upon the opportunity by involving on petty things and mud-slinging. Weakness of AIADMK is well known. Congress and BJP could not intrude the State due to poor image and absence of dynamic leadership and Rajinikanth should try his luck by pruning and encouraging leadership quality.

Thus another star has jumped into Tamilnadu Political Foray. Perfect time for Rajinikanth to make an entry into politics, one can’t see any leader who can take up the legacy of Tamil Nadu's politics forward. Hope he has a vision and delivers results that people of Tamilnadu have been waiting for over so many years.

Rajinikanth at this point of time, it appears that he is determined, focussed and has the will power to take up this mammoth challenge of fighting corrupt political system in the State. Let us wholeheartedly welcome his good initiative and wish him all the very best.