Chennai: The stage was film industry’s memorial event for DMK leader M Karunanidhi. The event had DMK working president M K Stalin and top actors.
But, it was actor Rajinikanth who hogged the limelight by going all guns blazing against the ruling AIADMK government for the first time for not being present during Karunanidhi’s funeral.
“As Tamilnadu’s first citizen, the Chief Minister should have attended the last rites of Karunanidhi. The entire Tamilnadu Cabinet should have come. Do you think you are MGR? Are you Jayalalitha?” said a visibly irritated Rajini questioning the absence of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and other AIADMK members for Karunanidhi’s funeral.
He was speaking at a memorial event organised by the South Indian Artistes Association for Karunanidhi here on Monday.
Rajinikanth admonished the top rung AIADMK politicians for not coming to see Karunanidhi before his burial at Marina.
Rajini said, “From the Governor to the Prime Minister, to Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Everyone was there. Karunanidhi was buried with State honours. As Tamilnadu’s first citizen, the Chief Minister should have attended the last rites. The entire Tamilnadu Cabinet should have come.”
Even I would have protested
Commenting on the controversy and legal battle for the burial of Karunanidhi at Marina, Rajini said that even he would have protested if the State government had appealed in the Supreme Court after losing the case in Madras High Court.
“Are you MGR? Are you Jayalaitha? They were giants and they fought. But now, the time for this has gone. Now is the not the right time for you to fight. Karunanidhi is a respected leader. If they (government) had appealed against Madras High Court’s decision to grant burial space for Karunanidhi in Marina, even I would have gone up in protest.”
Rajini also urged the AIADMK members to keep Karunanidhi’s photo alongside MGR’s photo in the next AIADMK anniversary event.
He said, “AIADMK was formed because of Karunanidhi. It was formed after Karunanidhi removed MGR from the party. There were many reasons behind this. Those who know history will know these reasons. They should keep Karunanidhi’s photo along with MGR’s photograph in AIADMK anniversary event.”
“There are lakhs of people who came to politics because of Karunanidhi. Out of those, thousands have come to the forefront in active politics and hundreds have become political leaders,” he added.
TN has lost its identity
“I cannot think of a Tamilnadu without Kalaignar. Tamilnadu has lost its biggest identity after Kalaignar’s death. Karunanidhi accepted DMK’s leadership when he was in his 40s. He has tackled many challenges and many plots to overthrow him. He has overcome many backstabbings and led the party for 50 years,” Rajini said.
Recalling Karunanidhi’s influence in State politics, Rajini said, “When Kalaignar was alive, if anyone were to enter Tamilnadu politics, they could only survive if they were either his enemy or his friend. Only then they could do politics in Tamilnadu.”
Consoling Karunanidhi’s son and DMK working president Stalin for his, Rajini said, “Do not worry Thalapathiyar. God is there with you. Your dad’s udanpirapugal (brethren) are there. Your father has shown you the way.”
| Rajnikanth lacks maturity: Jayakumar |
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In response to Rajinikanth’s open talk lambasting the AIADMK government, State Fisheries Minister Jayakumar today said Rajinikanth is politically immature.
Jayakumar said, “What Rajini spoke at the Karunanidhi’s memorial event organised by the film industry shows he lack political maturity. He is an opportunist.” “He has mixed film shooting with meeting. They are not the same. Rajinikanth does not know the political history of Tamilnadu. He could not have roamed freely had he talked like this when MGR or Jayalalithaa was alive.” Commenting on the alleged disrespect given to Karunanidhi by the AIADMK, Jayakumar said that the government has given the late leader full honours to their greatest ability and extent. |