Chennai: At a time when the DMK has roped in political strategist Prashant Kishor for a whopping fee to get the desired mileage in the media and in the political arena ahead of 2021 Assembly elections, actor Rajinikanth, who has not even started his party, is getting it without spending a rupee.
A few words he utters to reporters outside his Poes Garden residence or airport become headlines in newspapers and topic of prime time debates in television channels.
This has obviously hurt the DMK, and the party’s president M K Stalin expressed it openly. At a recent function, he said, ”For media, it is important to go behind those who come out of the gate and speak to them while leaving for film shooting. It becomes a topic for debate in all TV channels for two days.”
In his advice to journalists, he stated: ”There are several other important issues which the media is not bothered about.” Reliable sources say the main reason behind the DMK hiring Prashant Kishor was to handle Rajinikanth, who wields enormous clout among his legion of fans.
But the superstar’s smart statements and mindful moves have made the DMK high command upset. Rajinikanth is targeting Hindu votes without compromising on support from the minorities. While supporting the CAA, the actor, who has promised ”aanmiga arasiyal”, said he would be the first to protest if Muslims are affected by the Act. He also said ”some parties” are trying to gain political mileage by making ”false propaganda”.
Realising that this would cost his party heavily in the polls, Stalin said, ”the DMK is happy to have those who believe in God in the party but some people are trying to portray the DMK as an anti-Hindu party. Their dream would not come true.”
According to him, ”Some are trying to whip up Hindu passion to defeat the DMK. It will never happen. Portraying the DMK as anti-Hindu would not help increase the popularity of our opponents.”
The DMK also believes that the BJP is indirectly supporting Rajinikanth. The ruling AIADMK, which initially reacted strongly to Rajini’s remarks on Periyar, is now maintaining meaningful silence.
Sources say Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam had asked Ministers and party seniors not to comment anything about Rajini, even if they are asked to do so by the media.
As far as other parties are concerned, even those who are currently in alliance with the DMK and the AIADMK are willing to join hands with Rajini’s party, as they believe his popularity and promises would help them win seats.
Sources in at least three such parties told News Today that they would not hesitate to forge alliance with Rajinikanth if they don’t get their ”due share” from their present partners.
According to a source close to the actor, ”Rajini is making each and every move very cautiously. Like his films, his politics too would be full of twists, turns and mass elements, surprising his fans and shocking his opponents. Wait and watch”. Rajini style, may be.