In a move that has sparked off fresh political debate in Tamil Nadu, actors Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth on Tuesday indicated that they would join hands with each other in politics if the need for such a situation arose. The move assumes significance as it comes days after both the leaders claimed that there was a leadership vacuum in the state.
"If a situation arises wherein me and Kamal have to join hands for the welfare of people of Tamil Nadu, we will surely come together," Rajinikanth told media persons in Chennai.
His statement came just an hour after Kamal said he could work together with the superstar for the betterment of the state, though both of their political ideologies followed different trajectories. Kamal, however, parried questions on whether the two would align politically.
“There is no need for creating a new bonding between myself and Rajinikanth. We have been friends for around 44 years. If the need arises, we will come together for the betterment of Tamil Nadu," Kamal told reporters at Chennai airport.
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He also backed Rajinikanth over his earlier comments describing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami coming to the top post as a wonder, saying it was a "not a criticism but the reality."
The ruling AIADMK had reacted sharply to Rajinikanth, saying Palaniswami did not become chief minister by chance but made his way up through the party ranks with sheer hard work.
Kamal had earlier backed Rajinikanth's statement about a leadership vacuum in the state, saying there was no good leaders at present in the state. “There were good leaders. What we are saying is there is no such person now,” he had said.
Rajinikanth's statement had drawn flak from both the AIADMK and the DMK, but found support from an unexpected quarter—DMK leader M.K. Stalin's brother M.K. Alagiri. Alagiri, who was expelled from the DMK in 2014, however, refused to comment on whether he would join hands with Rajinikanth.
Talks of a leadership vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics gathered steam after AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi died in 2016 and 2018 respectively. While Jayalalithaa's death had led to a major rebellion in the AIADMK, many raise questions over the leadership credentials of M.K. Stalin to helm the DMK after the death of Karunanidhi.
Kamal founded his political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) at a public meeting in Madurai on February 21, 2018. Rajinikanth, who espouses 'spiritual politics', has said he will launch his party soon and face the next state assembly elections due in 2021.
Rajinikanth made his debut in the Tamil film Apoorva Ragangal (1975) starring Haasan and the late Srividya and 'Major' Sundarrajan in key roles. The two actors later went on to star in many movies, emerging as icons in the industry.
With inputs from PTI