DMK Wary Of Rajinikanth? Party Paper Lashes Out At Actor For ‘Hypocrisy’ And Trying To ‘Help’ BJP Gain Foothold In TN

DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli has launched a blistering attack on Tamil movie actor Rajinikanth questioning the intent behind his political plunge and what it claimed was an attempt by him to ‘exploit’ and ‘dupe’ his ‘innocent’ fans for achieving his ‘selfish’ ambitions.
Murasoli was founded by late Chief Minister Karunanidhi and published as a daily since 1960. The editorials in the daily are widely considered by political observers in the state as the official party position of the DMK. After the passing away of Karunanidhi, the effective control of the party mouthpiece is with his son and successor M K Stalin.

In an op-ed titled, ‘Who is the black sheep… Mae …Mae…Mae’, the paper questioned whether Rajinikanth has the credentials to aspire for the position of Chief Minister merely because he has been around in the cinema profession for 40 years. The op-ed took a swipe at Rajinikanth’s latest statement to his fans that serving in his fanclub for four decades is not enough for them to aspire for posts in his new political movement.

The op-ed also attacked Rajinikanth for his own aspiration to become the Chief Minister, and asking his fans to work tirelessly for it without expectations.

The accompanying cartoon to the op-ed also insinuated that Rajinikanth was a creation of the BJP, which is attempting to gain a “backfoot” entry into Tamil Nadu. The paper also advised Rajinikanth to float a social movement like what ‘Periyar’ did and ‘serve the cause of society’.

Murasoli mocked Rajinikanth on his warning to his followers that disciplinary action will be initiated if they do not adhere to the policy or principles of his movement, saying his Makkal Mandram has so far not declared any policy or principle.

In a vituperative personal attack, the paper advised Rajinikanth to take care of his own family first instead of advising his fans to take care of their family first before thinking about entering politics.

Murasoli also claimed that Rajinikanth’s request to his fans not to spend their own money on supporting his fledgling movement ‘reeked of hypocrisy’. It pointed out that the actor had maintained silence when his fan clubs used to spend huge sums for cut-outs and banners during the run-up to the release of his movies.