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BJP has lost its influence: Rajinikanth on party’s election performance

On a day that the elections in five states in the Indian republic are sounding the alarm bells for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, actor and politician Rajinikanth said that the party is losing its influence. Speaking to media persons in Chennai on Tuesday, Rajinikanth was asked about the dismal performance of the national party in the five states – Telangana, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram.

“This clearly shows well that the BJP has lost its influence,” he said. When a reporter remarked that he had previously called Modi a strong leader, Rajinikanth replied, “I have said that this (the electoral performance) is definitely a setback. There is no doubt that this is a big setback.”

In November, Rajinikanth had seemingly defended the BJP and its leader, Prime Minister Modi. In a cryptic statement in response to a question on whether the BJP was a dangerous party, Rajinikanth had said that if the opposition parties felt that way, then that would be the case.

“If 10 people unite for war against one, who is more powerful? You decide,” he had later clarified when asked about the grant anti-BJP alliance in the making.

Soon after the actor announced his entry into politics in December last year, his oft-repeated statement of ‘spiritual politics’ had raised several questions on whether the actor had plans of allying with the BJP. However, unlike his contemporary Kamal Hasan, who launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam, Rajinikanth is yet to formally launch a political party. His Rajini Makkal Mandram functions as an outfit for the actor’s political works.

With a landslide victory in the state of Chattisgarh and an inching margin ahead of the incumbent BJP in Madhya Pradesh, the day belonged to the Indian National Congress. In Mizoram and Telangana, the regional parties – MNF and TRS – lapped up the majority of the seats in the state. A stiff competition is underway in Rajasthan, where the BJP and Congress are in a tight race.

Rajinikanth who awaits the release of his film Petta had announced during the film’s audio launch on Sunday that as always, he would not be in the city to celebrate his birthday that falls on December 12. The actor also requested fans to not be disappointed for not getting to meet him.

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Source: The News Minute