Rajni hails DMK's victory

Chennai, May 11 (UNI) Tamil superstar Rajnikanth today greeted DMK President M Karunanidhi on his front's massive victory in the May eight Assembly polls.

In a handwritten message to the DMK Chief, copy of which was released to media here, the actor said ''the victory entirely belonged to you. It is a victory for your rich political experience and political acumen''.

Expressing his hearty congratulations to him, Mr Rajnikanth said he prayed to the almighty to shower him with long life, good health and mental peace.

It may be noted that Rajnikanth, after dabbling in politics during the 2004 parliamentary elections, decided not to support any of the political fronts in this elections.

The superstar chose to remain silent in third elections and said his fans were free to vote for any party they like. He,had hwoever, restrained them from using his name or flag of his fan club during electioneering.

Rajnikanth had created a sensation in the Tamil Nadu politics ahead of the 1996 Assembly elections when he openly criticised the then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

His punchline ''Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if Ms Jayalalithaa is elected Chief Minister again'' was widely quoted in the media amid a strong anti-incumbency wave that swept across the state.

Rajnikanth was considered instrumental in the landslide victory registered by the DMK-led alliance in the elections and he was portrayed as a force to reckon with in the state politics.

In the 2004 Parliament elections, the superstar was forced to cross swords with PMK founder S Ramadoss after the latter's stinging criticism about him triggered clashes between PMK cadres and Rajnikanth's fans across the state.

Raising his voice against the PMK, which was in the DMK alliance, the superstar openly threw his weight behind the AIADMK-BJP combine in the 2004 parliamentary elections. Contrary to his calculations, the DMK front swept the elections by winning all the 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

As the adage ''Once bitten twice shy'', goes, the mega star chose to remain aloof from politics this time.

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