Superstar Rajinikanth's first speech as politician: 'I am entering politics to fill the vacuum left by Jayalalithaa'

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Monday said he can provide the rule of AIADMK founder and late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and also fill the leadership void that exists in Tamil Nadu. Unveiling a statue of MGR at the Dr MGR Educational Research Institute here, Rajinikanth said he understands politics and can provide the kind of rule that MGR gave. Jayaraman Jayalalithaa, popularly addressed as “Amma” by her supporters Rajinikanth, who is yet to formally launch his political party, said he knows that the path of politics is not decked with flowers but filled with thorns. He said he has learnt politics from DMK leader M. Karunanidhi and Congress leader late G.K. Moopanar. According to him, both Karunanidhi and late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa were great leaders. But after the demise of Jayalalithaa and with Karunanidhi in poor health, there is a leadership vacuum in the state which he can fill, Rajnikanth said. He said those who are in politics have not performed their duties properly. Stressing that his political philosophy will be spiritual politics, the superstar said honest and casteless politics is spiritual politics. Rajinikanth also requested his fans and followers not to put up banners and hoardings contravening the law and troubling the people.