‘Modi Is A Charismatic Leader’: Rajinikanth Confirms He Will Attend PM Modi’s Swearing-In Ceremony

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘charismatic leader’, Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth confirmed that he has received an invite to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister’s second term and that he would be travelling to New Delhi soon.

Ending months of speculation and suspense, Rajinikanth had announced his entry into politics in December 2017. His party will be contesting all 234 seats of Tamil Nadu in the next assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2021.

"All over India, there is a pro-Modi wave. In Tamil Nadu, there is an anti-Modi wave. In politics, those who swim against the wave, are washed away. Those who swam with the current have won,” actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, told reporters about the Lok Sabha election results at his Poes Garden residence here today (28 May).

Crediting Modi for scripting BJP's spectacular victory, Rajinikanth said, “Irrespective of State or Central politics, victory is determined by the leader of a party. Modi is a charismatic leader and the (NDA’s) victory is the victory of Narendra Modi. After Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Vajpayee, it is Modi. It is similar in Tamilnadu. There was Anna, Kamarajar, Kalaignar, MGR, and Jayalalithaa.”

When asked why Modi's charisma failed to sway voters in Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth said, “Definitely, here, issues like hydrocarbon, Sterlite, NEET, and the opposition’s cyclonic propaganda and campaign were all reason (for BJP-AIADMK alliance’s loss).”

He also advised the BJP to approach Tamil Nadu as a serious player. Rajinikanth also pointed out that senior BJP leader and key BJP minister Nitin Gadkari has come forward with a very good project of linking rivers, especially the Godavari, Cauvery and Krishna. "They must implement it as fast as possible.” the actor added.

On Congress’s disastrous election performance, Rajinikanth urged the Congress president Rahul Gandhi to stay the course and fight on.

He said, “I would not say Rahul Gandhi lacks leadership qualities. In my observation, the senior Congress leaders have not cooperated well. It is very difficult to handle an age-old-party like Congress. As a youngster, it is very difficult to handle all the senior people.”

“Rahul Gandhi should not resign. He should stand firm and prove that he can do it. In a democracy, the opposition party is as important as the ruling party. Now our ruling party is strong. I expect that the opposition party also should be strong,” Rajini added.

Rajinikanth also praised his fellow actor Kamal Haasan for his debut poll performance. “To get close to 4 per cent vote share in a Lok Sabha election within 14 months of forming a party is noteworthy. I congratulate him.”