Rajinikanth aide Arjunamurthy to launch own party for Tamil Nadu polls; seeks blessings 

In a new development in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Kollywood star Rajinikanth's aide Arjunamurthy has announced a launch of his political party on Thursday. Issuing a statement on Twitter, Arjunamurthy said that for the benefit of the people of Tamil Nadu, he is launching a party and added that it will be better than being an independent candidate. He had earlier said that he will make Rajinikanth’s political dreams come true.

Intimating that he would attempt to tread a similar path to what the Superstar would have, Arjunamurthy, nonetheless, clarified that he wouldn't use Rajini as a symbol of his political foray, but that he was 'bowing to his feet' for his blessing and that he'd make the actor's dreams come true.

READ | Rajinikanth ropes in ex-BJP leader Arjunamurthy as party coordinator, Manian as supervisor

READ | Rajinikanth Aide Arjunamurthy Won't Desert Superstar; Says Modi & Rajini Are His Two Eyes

After Superstar Rajinikanth's exit from politics even before he could formally enter, Arjunamurthy - the chief coordinator of Rajini Makkal Mandram - revealed his decision to stick by Thalaivar's' side. Arjunamurthy had pointed out that Rajinikanth was in deep sorrow as he couldn't take his promised political plunge owing to health concerns and based on the advice of his doctors. Further, Arjunamurthy - who was previously Tamil Nadu BJP intellectual wing head - referred to Rajinikanth and PM Narendra Modi as his 'two eyes' adding that this was what drove him to join the saffron party and then Rajinikanth.

Arjunamurthy had also revealed that he had joined BJP on the advice of Dr Subramanian Swamy to serve the public and that he had achieved a lot in the saffron party before he joined Rajinikanth. Further, he had said that he had been asked by TN BJP chief L Murugan to return to the party fold but conveyed his decision to stay by Rajinikanth. 

READ | Rajini Makkal Mandram responds as members join DMK: 'They will always be Rajinikanth fans'

Rajinikanth's political plunge aborted

Rajinikanth on December 29 took to Twitter and announced that he will not start his political party, due to his health condition. He was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad due to fluctuating blood pressure and exhaustion and was discharged after two days. The actor said that he will do whatever he can for the public and apologised to his supporters. This came just ahead of his December 31 announcement about a new party that would contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu polls. 

Soon after his exit, Tamilaruvi Manian, who was supervisor of the party's formation, said that he has given up politics for good. However, he made a U-turn soon and said that he has 'reconsidered' his decision to leave politics at the behest of his followers and had decided to take the plunge again.

READ | Rajinikanth Fan Club instructs his followers to skip event protesting his political exit