Chennai: “I am already into politics; it's in my blood”, quipped Udayanidhi Stalin when asked about the reports that he had now decided to launch full steam into the DMK politics keeping in tune with the recent trend of popular film stars in Tamil Nadu turning to politics as a career.
“I have been a member of the DMK for a long time. In fact, I have been involved in Murasoli (DMK party organ) right from my student days when I did the proof-reading”, said Udayanidhi, now CEO at Murasoli, sporting a relaxed smile even as reports began pouring in from different parts of the state to convey the good news that his latest flick Nimir, released just Friday, was getting a good response.
It's perhaps an indication that the young man is in big hurry to complete the pending Kollywood commitments as Udayanidhi is already packing bags to Madurai on Monday to start shooting for his next film -- and be available for dad Stalin's call when the polls come.
“No, I will not contest elections and I am not after any party posts. And definitely yes, I will campaign intensely for my party in the coming elections, whenever that happens”, said the star-politician in serious tone. He said when his father Stalin got elevated as the working president of the party last year, there were reports that he (Udayanidhi) would get the post of the youth wing secretary, held by Stalin for long.
“But nothing of that kind happened. I am content working for the party, starting at the grass roots”, he told DC, recalling that he has been participating in the DMK's Pongal Vizha functions for several years.
The media had got excited a couple of days ago when the DMK's Saidapet MLA and former Chennai Mayor Ma. Subramaniam during a party rally said Udayanidhi on the dais should announce his political launch before he got down from the platform. Responding, the scion of the party's First Family took the mike to say he's very much in DMK politics.
“Whenever I did online interviews for the promo of my film (Nimir), the last question would invariably be when my political launch would be. I would tell them I am already there. Before that, they would ask me about the entry of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan into politics. I would say I welcome them. They had not attacked our party in the past. Rajini sir has been talking about it for a long time, so it is good he is finally coming. Kamal sir has called on our leader Kalaignar many times”, said Udayanidhi, explaining his stand vis-à-vis the latest buzz about Rajini-Kamal.
That the young 'Dravidian' is already set in the 'proper groove' became evident when he poked fun - a la his father and grandfather -- at the reverence shown to the junior Kanchi seer at a recent book launch function. “They needed a throne on that dais whereas here on our dais, all are seated as equals. That's the difference between them and us”.
When reporters recently asked fisheries minister D. Jayakumar to comment about Udayanidhi coming into politics, the AIADMK senior had shot back, “We have seen many nidhis (Karunanidhi, Dayanidhi), so one more does not worry us”.
The U-retort: “Your inefficient government is sitting on a massive deficit and you first take care of that. You can worry about us later”.
