Rajinikanth unveils statue of MGR, holds first public meeting

Rajinikanth is set to float his party before the next Tamil Nadu Assembly election, which is scheduled to be held in 2021.

In his first public address, Rajinikanth said there is a leadership vacuum in the state post demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and deteriorating health condition of DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

Rajinikanth was quoted by The Indian Express, "Yes, Tamil Nadu faces a leadership vacuum, Yes, I am entering politics to fill that vacuum."

Lauding MGR, who was also an actor-turned politician like Rajinikanth, the south superstar said: "MGR is a philanthropist beyond measure. There are numerous people he has helped including Rajinikanth. When I had a breakdown due to work pressure, MGR sir had personally called once a week to know about me. After I was cured, I couldn't go out. Then they had told me that they could discharge me only after I had spoken to MGR."

Without taking any name, Rajinikanth has replied to the dig of AIADMK which had said that not everyone can emulate MGR.

Rajinikanth was quoted by The Indian Express, "Nobody can become another MGR. It would be foolish to think that one can become so. But I believe that the good governance and the people's rule he provided can be done by me as well."

Rajinikanth has said that he will field candidates in all 234 Assembly seats in the next state election in Tamil Nadu.