Politics Not Rajnikanth's Cup Of Tea
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-07-16 16:08:13
About the Author
Rajnikanth has played the role of the underdog championing the cause of his brethren in innumerable films. His screen persona is of someone who always wins, for himself and for those whose cause he takes up. But in real life, he has accepted defeat even before entering the ring. By announcing the dissolution of his political platform Rajini Makkal Mandram, he has acknowledged that politics is not his cup of tea.
To be fair to the superstar, he was laid low by health issues even before he took a serious plunge in politics. Maybe he quit on medical advice or maybe due to family pressure. It could even be that a serious analysis of his resources showed him that it was a different era when MGR and Karunanidhi could transform from actors to politicians but in this age and time, it was not possible for him to make that transformation. But whatever the reason, it seems that Rajnikanth has buried his political ambitions for good.
Although the people of the southern states, especially Tamil Nadu and the undivided Andhra Pradesh, had earlier believed that actors could be good politicians and had supported MGR, Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha and N T Rama Rao, times have changed. The political equations have also changed. Lakhs of fans and thousands of fan clubs cannot guarantee a political victory. People have become more aware politically and actors are also not able to form a competent team or put forward a cohesive manifesto before the people for them to take them seriously.
It is good that Rajnikath has given up politics. With 2021 done, he would have got a shot only in 2026. Age is not on his side as by then he would have turned 76. Further, he has health issues that cannot be overlooked and that would have prevented him from taking up the tough grind that politics demands. Receding without a fight is better than getting vanquished in a field he knows little about.
