Duo mirage, illusion, says minister D Jayakumar

CHENNAI: AIADMK's war on Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth continued full steam with the party seniors and state ministers criticising him, even as his friend and MNM leader Kamal Haasan reiterated his promise of working together, if need arises, for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.

While AIADMK coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said their possible partnership would not affect his party, fisheries minister D. Jayakumar said the two were like “mirage that would disappoint” persons who believed in them.  

Panneerselvam said “AIADMK's base is very strong. We are not worried who joins hands. This movement is cadre-based.”

Revenue minister R.. B. Udayakumar ridiculed the likelihood of the two actors coming together as one “zero” adding up with another “zero.”

“What is the benefit for the people of Tamil Nadu if Rajini and Kamal come together? They can make money if they act in films. In real life, Rajini is likely to lend his voice once in a while and then disappear,” cooperation minister Sellur K. Raju said.

After Rajinikanth expressed his willingness on Tuesday to join hands with Kamal Haasan, if need arises, for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu, Hassan backed the promise and said if needed the two would come together. “My friend Rajinikanth and I have agreed that if needed we will come together and work for the betterment of the people of Tamil Nadu. We can't tell when it will be,” Kamal Haasan on Wednesday. “The operative word here is 'if need be' and 'for the welfare of Tamil Nadu',” he added. He further said, “that is our attitude, we mean it.. we have come here not just to do politics but to make a better Tamil Nadu.”

Beyond their friendship, Tamil Nadu's welfare was important, he emphasised and ruled out any timeframe for the two actors possibly working together politically.

On Tuesday, in a strongly worded editorial, AIADMK mouthpiece “Namadhu Amma” asserted that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not a reel leader who aspired for the CM's post in between his shooting schedule but a real leader who rose in the ranks to occupy the present position. “The position of chief ministership is not something that you aspire in one scene of the movie and then fulfill it in the subsequent scene. All these happen only in the reel world, not in real world. Probably Rajinikanth has highlighted this to Kamal Haasan in his speech,” the editorial read.

Reflecting on the rise of actor Rajinikanth from a humble bus conductor in Karnataka to a reigning superstar of Tamil film industry, the editorial said “our chief minister is the perfect example of how a leader is rewarded for his consistent hard work and dedication to the cause of the party. He stands apart in a world of leaders who aspire for overnight fame.”

Last week while speaking at an event to celebrate Kamal Haasan's contribution to the Indian cinema, Rajinikanth said “Miracles are happening all around us. For instance, two years ago Edappadi Palaniswami would not have dreamt of becoming Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister.”