Hope is life, everyone has right to think positive: Tamilisai Soundararajan

CHENNAI: Asserting that Tamil 'superstar' Rajinikanth's wish to fill the vacuum in political leadership in Tamil Nadu will not be a threat to the BJP which wants to ensure a viable alternative in the State, BJP president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan has said and maintained that the final decision on who could emerge as a real leader rests with the people at the time of elections.

“We are delivering good governance in many States and are confident of emerging as an alternative force in Tamil Nadu,” Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said on Tuesday. Her party has projected itself as a viable alternative in the State and it even nurses the hope of capturing power. Describing Rajini's remark on a political vacuum existing in the State and that he could fill that space, she said “hope is life. Everyone has the right to think positive.”

She, however, lamented that the media is not bestowing adequate importance to other leaders on par with the importance given to Rajini. “His speech is being live telecast by all television channels for more than an hour. And all newspapers publish his address completely. Will the media ever do the same for others?” Dr Tamilisai asked and claimed that film actors got more mileage than politicians because of their mass attraction.

The senior leader rejected the superstar's contention that political parties were not functioning effectively, and said this was not acceptable. Talking to reporters here she said, “let everyone clarify their stands first, then people will take a decision.”

His future will be based on the support he obtains from the people. “We say only the BJP can be the alternative force in Tamil Nadu. Our party is providing good governance in many States in the country and we are confident of repeating this success in Tamil Nadu also,” she added.