At his home in Poes Garden, the star told reporters he had to step in because some of the rumours were starting to be taken as fact. “If I had stayed quiet, false narratives would have been given credence,” he said.
He was also quick to set the record straight on his ties with MK Stalin. Their get-together after the results was nothing more than what you’d expect from old friends, he said, and not a political move. “I was sorry to see him lose in Kulathur. What we have is beyond politics.”
On Vijay’s win and ceremony absence
Then there was the matter of whether he had even congratulated Vijay. Rajinikanth said he did as soon as the win was in the bag and was “extremely shocked” to hear he had made it to the top job. He chided those who thought his not being at the airport or the swearing-in was a slight. “I’ve never been to one of those functions,” he said, pointing out he had already put in his good word on X. Any talk of party mergers, he added, is without basis.
For readers tracking the back-and-forth, here are the core clarifications from Rajinikanth’s briefing:
– He congratulated Vijay immediately after results.
– He is not merging parties or plotting moves.
– His Stalin meeting was personal, not political.
– He never attends swearing-in events.
– He is not jealous of the Chief Minister.
Digital trail of support
The actor has been vocal in his support. When Vijay’s last film was pirated on April 9, he decried the “shock and pain” of it on the 10th and called on the government to make an example of the culprits. And when the election was over on May 4, he put out a message: “My congratulations to Thiru Vijay… on their resounding victory.” He repeated as much at the press meet.
Signals and stakes
For Rajinikanth, it’s about showing respect for the mandate and keeping his distance from the nitty-gritty of politics. “It wouldn’t do for us to be seen as in competition,” he said. “Rajini is not a low-standard person to go on about things for no reason.”
In fact, he has high praise for the new CM. “At 52, he has done more than MGR and NTR. He has stood up to the BJP and won,” he said, adding that he has no envy, only good wishes and some expectations.
Meanwhile, governance moves ahead
With the controversy behind them, the new regime is making its mark. The Lok Bhavan confirmed on Saturday that in his first government, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will be in charge of police, general administration and the welfare of women, youth and children.
K A Sengottaiyan, a veteran, has been put in as Finance Minister. It’s a cabinet that puts the important files with the CM but leaves the purse strings in the hands of someone who knows the ropes.
What comes next
You could say Rajinikanth's comments were a way to close the book on the speculation and put his stamp of approval on the TVK’s win. Now all eyes are on the new cabinet to see how they handle the early days in office.
