Chennai: Eminent music composer Gangai Amaran, who is the BJP's candidate in the prestigious RK Nagar bypoll, called on superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday sparking some speculation in Tamil Nadu's political circles.
The only information that came out of the meeting at Rajini's Poes Garden residence was a tweet by Amaran's son venkat Prabhu whcih said, "Today our thalaivar @superstarrajini met and wished my dad for his political victory in #RKNagarByElection #happyson #GangaiAmaran."
Gangai Amaran, brother of ace music director Ilay Raja, has composed hit numbers for many Tamil films, and political observers here are more inclined to believe Rajini meeting him was more due to non-political. Amaran joined the BJP in 2014, and has been fielded in a constituency left vacant following the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
The political entry of Rajinikanth, who enjoys cult status in a state where politics meshes with cinema, has been the subject of much surmises, but so far all of them have proved to be false alarms.
His first political statement came in 1996 when Rajinikanth took on Jayalalithaa saying, "Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if AIADMK returns to power." Her AIADMK lost heavily in the state elections that followed. But in 2004, the superstar pledged his support for the BJP-AIADMK alliance.
Following that, he has been keeping away from making political statments, leading at least some to believe he would never take the plunge unlike an MG Ramachandran or Jayalalithaa.
Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met him in Chennai, but both later clarified the visit was just a courtesy call.
Of late, there have been renewed calls for Rajini to enter politics with brother Satyanarayana Rao saying it's high time. RSS idealogue echoed that saying, "Rajini won't enter politics just because I want him to. He should take the decision himself. People who do good for Tamil Nadu should join politics."
During the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Lingaa’, Rajini told the media, "Everybody wants me to join politics. I'm aware of its depth and danger. I'm not afraid, but just a little hesitant. It's not in my hands. If God is willing, I will serve the people."
Has the time come? Has he overcome that hesitation? Only the Thalaivar would know.
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