Saffron party banked on the actor’s fan following to break into Tamil Nadu politics. The announcement by film actor and superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday morning that he would not, as he had earlier declared, be launching a political party, took many by surprise, with the BJP hoping that even if not through a formal political party, the star would throw his influence behind the NDA in Tamil Nadu ahead of Assembly polls early next year. Ravi, the BJP’s national general secretary in charge of Tamil Nadu said Mr. Rajinikanth’s decision was his private affair but that the NDA was still hoping for a declaration of support from the latter, despite the cancelled plans for a political party. As a member of the BJP it is my hope that his considerable influence is with us,” Mr Ravi said. Mr. Rajinikanth had, a few weeks ago, announced that he would be announcing the launch of a political party on December 31.

Source: The Hindu December 29, 2020 15:15 UTC