Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth has indicated support for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections by hailing the party's poll manifesto for promising the interlinking of rivers, his own dream project for solving most of the people's problems.
“I have been pushing for interlinking of rivers. The BJP manifesto released yesterday (Monday) has promised constitution of a commission for this project. It’s a welcome thing”, the actor told reporters outside his Poes Garden bungalow on Tuesday. He recalled that Vajpayee during his tenure as the PM had initiated steps to carry out the project and was happy when he (Rajinikanth) told him during a meeting to name the project as ‘Bhagiratha Yochana’ in view of its complex nature and formidable size. 'Bhagiratha' means making the impossible possible.
“By God's grace, by people’s support — I do not know what verdict they would give —if the NDA forms the government at the Centre, this project to link rivers should be given top priority by them. Poverty will almost be eradicated if this project is implemented, several crores of people will get employment, the lot of the farmers would improve", he said.
While his words, particularly his wish for divine help for the BJP's win in the polls, triggered wide debate whether he was endorsing the NDA, the actor himself insisted there was no change in his stand of not supporting any political party or leader in the April 18 polls.
Asked to comment on Kamal Haasan seeking his support, he said he had made his stand clear already and did not want to add anything further. "Don't make this a big issue and spoil our good friendship", he pleaded.
In 2017, Rajinikanth had met a delegation of farmers and assured them of his support to their plea for interlinking rivers. He also pledged Rs one crore as his contribution for the project.
In February this year, Rajinikanth made it clear he would neither contest this Lok Sabha elections or the by-poll for the assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. He had said he was not extending support to any party. In December 2017, the 69-year-old actor, who has a large fan base, said he would launch a political party that would contest all the 234 assembly constituencies in the state, an indication that he has set his eyes on the state polls.
Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading.
