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

Putting an end to his long-awaited arrival in politics, Kollywood superstar Rajinikanth anunced his political faction on Thursday morning, 5 months ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. While Rajinikanth anunced that his party will formally be launched in January 2021, he informed that more details will be divulged on December 31. w, Tamil superstar has anunced that former BJP leader Arjunamurthy Ra will be chief coordinator of his political outfit. 

Moreover, Tamilaruvi Manian will take up role of party's supervisor till it is launched in January, Rajinikanth tweeted on Thursday evening. Manian is a Tamil Nadu politician and writer who started Gandhian People's Movement back in 2009 and had subsequently launched Gandhian People's Party in 2014. Manian has never allied with any or party in past. 

READ | BJP's Khushboo Sundar Hails Rajinikanth's Political Entry, Makes Big Statement On Alliance

On or hand, Arjunamurthy has served as head of BJP's intellectual and business wing in Tamil Nadu. Prior to joining BJP, Arjunamurthy was one of DMK's key leader. Hours before Rajinikanth's press conference on Thursday morning, Arjunamurthy had written to BJP leadership in Tamil Nadu and tendered his resignation. 

READ | AIADMK Responds To Rajinikanth's Political Debut; Sends Open Invitation To Form Alliance

Rajinikanth confirms launch of his political party

Earlier in day, Rajinikanth anunced on Twitter that he would make a formal anuncement of his political party on December 31 followed by party's launch in January 2021. He wrote, "In forthcoming Assembly elections, with support of people, it is certain that honest, monetary, transparent, n-corrupt, secular and secular spiritual politics will emerge in Tamil Nadu". Earlier this week, he interacted with senior office-bearers of Rajini Makkal Mandram to decide on his entry into electoral politics.

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Minutes after Rajinikanth anunced launch of his political party, BJP's Khushbu Sundar remarked that party is ready to welcome Tamil superstar with open arms. Dismissing Rajinikanth as a 'gamechanger' in upcoming elections, Khushboo Sundar pointed out that it was mindset of people was different at time of voting. Responding to a query on if BJP will extend its support to Rajinikanth's new party, BJP leader said it was state unit and central leadership's decision to make. 

READ | 'If t w, n Never': Rajinikanth Vows To Stake It All For Tamil Nadu's People In 2021

Moreover, AIADMK also extended its invitation to Rajinikanth with Tamil Nadu deputy CM remarking that 'anything could happen in politics.' Wishing Rajinikanth good luck, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O. Panneerselvam stated that if re were chances, AIADMK would enter into an alliance with superstar ahead of 2021 Tamil Nadu elections. 

"I wish Rajinikanth's political entry good luck. In politics anything can happen, if re are chances re will be an alliance (with Rajinikanth)," said Dy CM OPS.