Rajinikanth: From a definite announcement to the withdrawal

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth ended decades-long suspense on the last day of 2017 by announcing his entry into politics. On December 31, 2017, he announced that his new political party would contest the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Though he dithered several times even after the announcement, Rajinikanth declared on December 3 that he will keep his date with politics. However, on Tuesday, he pulled out of the game citing ill-health.

Here is the chronology of the three-year suspense:

December 31, 2017: Rajinikanth announces his entry into politics

January 2, 2018: Rajinikanth meets press informally, explains his decision to take the political plunge

Also Read | Rajinikanth's decision pushes BJP back to square one in Tamil Nadu

March 5, 2018: Rajinikanth makes his first political speech by promising to usher in MGR's rule

May 29, 2018: Rajinikanth makes controversial statements on anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi

February 17, 2019: Rajinikanth announces that he will not support any political party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls

March 5, 2020: Rajinikanth tells his fans he does not want to be Chief Minister

Read | Avoid stress, any activity that increases risk of contracting Covid-19: Doctors to Rajinikanth

March 12, 2020: Rajinikanth puts the onus on the people for him to join politics

October 29, 2020: Rajinikanth admits he underwent a renal transplant and indicates he may have to shelve political plans

November 30, 2020: Rajinikanth meets district secretaries of his Rajini Makkal Mandram

December 3, 2020: Rajinikanth announces he will launch his own political party in January 2021

Also Read | Rajinikanth misses date with politics; not to launch political party

December 14, 2020: Rajinikanth resumes shooting for his film Annatthe in Hyderabad

December 25, 2020: Rajinikanth admitted to Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad due to “severe fluctuations” in BP

December 27, 2020: Rajinikanth discharged from hospitals; flies to Chennai

December 29, 2020: Rajinikanth announces his decision not to take the political plunge, apologies to his fans and people