To clean up political filth, Rajinikanth seems lagging in homework

Chennai: For someone aspiring to lead the state and clean up the political filth, actor Rajinikanth seems lagging in homework, not to mention the procrastinating on the ‘big decision’ whereas his peer Kamal Haasan is clearly ahead on both counts.

The superstar shocked all at his media interaction at the airport here on Monday by claiming he knew nothing about the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case — an issue that has been on fire in the state for quite a long time.  “Enna ezhuper? (what seven persons?)”, the star shot back when a reporter asked his view on Governor Banwarilal Purohit not forwarding to the President the Cabinet recommendation for pardon for the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

And when the scribe explained his question in detail, Rajini retorted, “I do not know about it. I have come back just now”. And when the journalists persisted with the question and sought the star’s stand on the release of these seven convicts, the man snapped: “I have nothing to say; you are asking (about this) only now”.

Asked about the crimes against women, Rajinikanth said the culprits should be punished severely and quickly. “There must be tough laws and punishment must be quick”, he said.

To a question on demonetisation, he said it was not implemented properly — he was among the first to welcome the move when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced it on November 8, 2016. “That scheme was not implemented properly, but we need to have a detailed discussion on this”, he said.

And then he said something that excited many, as it seemed to indicate his disenchantment with BJP — if one took it on face value — while a good many could easily interpret his reply to the scribe’s question to mean his support for the saffron party stayed intact.

Question: All the opposition parties have come together to form an alliance against the BJP. Does that mean the BJP is such a dangerous party?

Rajini: (sporting a sarcastic smile) That’s what these parties think. And so, that must definitely be the case. Okay? Thank you.     

That final question and the ‘punch’ reply left many wondering if the superstar is having second thoughts about his softness for Modi and the BJP, but a good many chose to interpret the reply the obvious way — Rajini was poking fun at the opposition alliance ganging up against saffron.

The superstar has never made a secret of his admiration for the Prime Minister and his closeness to the BJP—remember his aanmeega arasiyal (spiritual politics) promise?

But then, pray, shouldn’t his political tutors be telling their star he should be abreast of all the Dravidian issues — such as the Rajiv convicts—and respond appropriately to such sensitive questions?