Rajinikanth to launch political party; issues dates & statement on 2021 Tamil Nadu polls

In a massive development, superstar Rajinikanth will anunce his political party on December 31 and will launch it in January 2021, actor informed on Thursday.

Rajinikanth had sought time to make his long-touted decision regarding a political plunge after meeting Rajini Makkal Mandram's (RMM) district bearers in Chennai earlier this week. Taking to Twitter, Rajinikanth revealed his next political move. 

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Rajinikanth to launch party in January

"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", Rajinikanth's statement on Twitter read. 

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"I met office-bearers. y expressed ir views to me & I exchanged mine with m. Whatever decision you take we are with you my fans have said. I will make my decision as soon as possible", Rajinikanth had said speaking to reporters on Monday. 

Rajinikanth could very well be wild card entry into Tamil Nadu's electoral politics & it comes at a significant time when incumbent AIADMK-BJP alliance, DMK-Congress-Left front and fellow Kollywood actor Kamal Haasan have already sounded poll bugle and have begun campaigning. Last year, Rajinikanth revealed he would induct youngsters in his party, abolish unnecessary party positions & ruled out possibility of him becoming CM. Rajinikanth's warm relations with central leadership of BJP is also something that cant be overlooked & ir alliance partner AIADMK will sure look to cash-in on Superstar's fame to retain power in state. 

Rajinikanth's entry into politics

In 2017, Rajinikanth anunced his entry into politics, at a time when Tamil Nadu faced a vacuum after demise of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa and ailing of DMK chief M Karunanidhi. However, he did t contest Lok Sabha polls last year. While Kamal Hassan launched his party Makkal Nidhi Maiyyam, Rajinikanth has t anunced a party, instead reiterated that he will work for people of Tamil Nadu. He had, last year,  launched his own website 'rajinimandram.org' and a party logo. In a video mess to his fans, superstar had appealed to m to register to website and help him develop Tamil Nadu. re were also reports n that suggested that Rajnikanth was in talks with Hassan.

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Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu

Assembly elections are due during April-May 2021 in Tamil Nadu. DMK lost power to archrival AIADMK in 2011 and lost assembly polls in 2016 as well. Roping in poll-strategist Prashant Kishor for upcoming elections, Stalin-led DMK hopes to return to power in state. Meanwhile, relation between state units of ruling AIADMK and BJP have been strained over issues of 'Vel Yatra' though Amit Shah's recent visit put speculations of any discord to rest with parties affirming continuance of ir alliance. 

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