Rajinikanth Not In 2019 Race, Says “No Party Should Use My Photo”

Chennai: 

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, ending months of speculation and suspense, on Sunday declared that he would not contest the upcoming general elections or support anyone.

In a statement, he said, “I’m not going to contest in Lok Sabha elections. Our target is assembly elections. My support is not for any party. Hence no party should use my photo or my outfit’s logo in campaign.”

He also asked people to examine and vote for a party that would form a strong government and implement schemes to solve Tamil Nadu’s water crisis permanently. The 765-km long Cauvery river, also called the “Ganga of the south”, is the lifeline for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The distribution of water between the southern neighbours has been a contentious issue for decades.

Rajinikanth, 68, had announced his entry into politics in December 2017 and merged his made fan clubs to form Rajini Makkal Mandram (Rajini People’s Forum). Since then, there has been much speculation about his possible political alliances. He had then said his party would  contest in all seats for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

The Tamil superstar was seen by some as leaning towards the ruling BJP at the centre, with the BJP sharing a picture of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajinikanth, many say, is avoiding a repeat of the same.

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