A day after the Lok Sabha elections took place in Tamil Nadu, actor and politician Rajinikanth said that he was ready to contest assembly elections whenever they were announced. Speaking to the press today, he responded to questions about voter turnout, allegations of cash distribution for votes, and the caste-based attacks which took place on poll day.
#அடுத்த_ஓட்டு_ரஜினிக்கே (translated as “next vote for Rajini”) was the topmost trend on Twitter this morning, beating #MukeshAmbani and #VotingRound2. To this, Rajini said, “I understand the excitement, I will definitely not let fans down.”
Done my last vote to dravidian parties, after this my vote is for only one person, A man who deserves to to be called #Thalaivar? #அடுத்த_ஓட்டு_ரஜினிக்கே
— Sundaramoorthy (@SundaraTheMan) April 18, 2019
There was a moral dilemma in all the 2 times I have voted(including now), but next time no..#அடுத்த_ஓட்டு_ரஜினிக்கே#அடுத்த_ஓட்டு_தலைவருக்கே pic.twitter.com/qNu6XHHZ0U
— Mark antony (@Hunmid12) April 18, 2019
Waiting for this moment Thalaiva ??? pic.twitter.com/CSkR6rEWmn
— Muthukumaran (@Muthu2211mk) April 18, 2019
Rajinikanth announced his entry into politics over a year ago, but is yet to form his party. He decided to not contest the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and by polls in Tamil Nadu. However, the results of the elections, to be announced on May 23, could decide his political course. Asked whether he would announce his party if the ruling AIADMK fell short of a majority in the Assembly, following the result of the bypolls, he said: “Let’s see. We will decide that after the results.”
He also didn’t respond to a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi returning to power. About the caste-based violence that took place in Ariyalur yesterday, where a Vanniyar group associated with the PMK attacked a Dalit village, he said, “It is less than before. The Election Commission has conducted the polls well this time, there’s no doubt in that.”
This is the first Lok Sabha polls in the State after the deaths of DMK leader Karunanidhi and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa. Voting for the second phase of the general elections concluded yesterday in 95 seats across 11 States. Tamil Nadu led with 38 seats (polling in Vellore was called off after a massive cash haul). The State registered a poll percentage above 70 percent for both the Parliamentary and Assembly by-polls.
