DMK, Rajinikanth in war of words

Principal Opposition party DMK on Friday questioned Tamil superstar Rajinikanth why he was interested in electoral politics when he claims to be fighting to usher in change on the political horizon sans the trappings of money and lure of posts.

In a column in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Murasoli’, the DMK accused Rajinikanth of being a puppet in the hands of "some persons" and being supported by "communal" elements – in a clear reference to the BJP. The article is in response to a statement issued by the film actor, who is in the process of launching his political party, that he was not after posts.

“If he (Rajinikanth) is not really after posts as claimed by him, he should have started a movement on the lines of rationalist leader, the late E V Ramasamy Periyar,” the mouthpiece said. Periyar’s Dravidar Kazhagam shunned electoral politics that forced C N Annadurai to launch the DMK.

Call to fans

However, the actor, in a statement without naming the DMK, said "no force" can separate him from his fans and urged his followers to tread the path of fairness.

"I am proud to get fans like you. No force can separate us from each other. Whichever path we may take, let it be one of fairness," he said in the statement.