Yesterday, actor-politician Rajinikanth inaugurated a statue of former Tamil Nadu chief minister MG Ramachandran at the ACS Medical College and Hospital premises of the Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute at Chennai. In a first public gathering post his official entry into the field of politics, Rajinikanth was seen arriving to a crowd of almost 10,000 people waving through the sun-roof of his car. He then addressed the crowd, half of who were gathered in person and the rest witnessed him through a giant screen near-by. In the now-viral speech, Rajini made it clear that he
- Wants to bring MGR's Rule - “Some say not everyone can become like MGR (the AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran). There can never be anyone like MGR in the next 100 or even 1,000 years. MGR is a ‘yuga purushan’. If someone says he wants to become like MGR, then he is a fool. MGR’s rule took care of the poor, the downtrodden and the middle class. I have faith that I too can provide that rule"
- Will Adopt Spiritual Politics - “I have already clearly said that [I will adopt] truthful, straightforward, transparent politics, which is devoid of caste and religion. If I have to clarify further, spiritual politics is clean politics. Does Dravidian politics not believe in such politics? You are going to see spiritual politics from now on,”
- And is here to Stay - “People ask if I am coming to politics now because there is a vacuum. Yes, there is a vacuum. There is a vacuum for good leaders and leadership. There were two great leaders – Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi (who is inactive on account of his old age). Tamil Nadu needs a leader, a leadership. I am coming to fill that vacuum,”
Rajini was accompanied by two of his industry colleagues, actors Prabhu and Vijayakumar to the gathering which was no less of a fan-fare. Watch the complete speech here :