Chennai: Despite the claims of popular actor Rajinikanth that he is a pure Tamilian, parties including the ruling AIADMK charged him with Kannadiga affinity and questioned about his stand on the Cauvery dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Minister S.P. Velumani harshly asked the actor why he was silent when Kannadiga outfits threatened to stop the release of Bahubali-2 opposing Tamil actor Sathyaraj who had raised his voice for Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth should have spoken for Sathyaraj at that time, the minister opined. He also said Kannadigas are living with freedom in Tamil Nadu since the law and order is being maintained well by the state government.
The PMK too rejected the actor’s appreciation of its youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss as an effort to pacify those who are opposing him. PMK spokesperson K. Balu said “We have seen such tactical politics for long. We will not be carried away by his remarks lauding Anbumani and start hailing Rajinikanth. We are not asking the actor to quit the state since he came from other state, but people linked to cinema should not rule the state hereadfter”.
Referring to Rajinikanth’s reaction to the comments in the social media against him, DMDK leader Vijayakanth advised him that one should face such opposition in politics to grow and added that the DMDK would not be affected by Rajinikanth’s political entry.
Tamil groups continued their attacks on the actor’s remarks that he would consider entering politics at the time of elections. The latest attack came from Thamizhar Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan, who wanted to know if Rajinikanth would return the money earned in this corrupt system. He also asked why the actor did not oppose selling his cinema tickets at rates higher than that prescribed by the government.
Citing the actors remarks that Tamil people are criticising him for his Kannadiga identity, Velmurugan said no one including Rajinikanth is above criticism. Only a Tamiilian should rule the state, he asserted.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan who spoke favourably to Rajinikanth's entry into politics said the BJP is attacking the actor since they were disappointed with his perceived strategy of forming his own party.
