After Prime Minister Modi’s thumping victory with over 300 seats, the swearing-in will take place on May 30 and superstar Rajinikanth has stated that he will be attending the function of the "charismatic leader".
Chennai: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday addressed reporters for the first time after the results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared. Rajinikanth described Prime Minister Modi as a “charismatic leader”. He also responded to a question and said that he will be attending PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Speaking to media persons outside his residence, Rajinikanth likened Modi to tall leaders of India, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, AB Vajpayee, K Kamaraj, CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa.
"After them (the country) has got Modi, a charismatic leader. If you see in Tamil Nadu, there were charismatic leaders like Kamaraj, Anna, Kalaignar, MGR, Jayalalithaa. Along those lines, this victory is achieved for the leadership of Modi," he said.
He further went on to say, "This Lok Sabha poll victory is a win for the individual leadership called Modi. It is a victory for a charismatic leader," he told reporters.
"In Indian politics, whether at the national level or state, any party will reap wins only on the (popularity) of a leader. He is a charismatic leader," he said about Modi.
However, the BJP lost out in southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu due to an "anti-Modi wave" though there was a pro-Modi wave in other parts of the country, he noted.
"When there is a political wave, one cannot swim against it and will be swept away," he added. The reasons for such an anti-Modi wave in Tamil Nadu included the Sterlite issue in Tuticorin, methane extraction project in Cauvery delta and the "whirlwind campaign" of the opposition, Rajinikanth added.
Speaking about Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s offer to resign, Rajinikanth said that he shouldn’t resign because of the party’s debacle. "I won't say he lacks leadership qualities. I think it is really difficult to handle the Congress party where senior-most people are there," added Rajinikanth.
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