From god, money to politics, read Rajinikanth’s full speech while announcing his political debut
Read here the full text of Rajinikanth's speech while he announced his political debut in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Sunday.
Chennai, Jan 1: Finally, the long wait is over. Superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday announced his political debut in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. While fans heaved a sigh of relief, detractors denounced the 67-year-old's entry into politics.
Rajinikanth said he would set up a party and contest the next state assembly elections.
"Those who don't go to war will be considered cowards," the veteran began his speech to a large crowd of fans at the Raghavendra Mandapam in Chennai on Sunday.
Here is the full text of the actor's address to his fans:
"Ennai Vazhai Vaikkum Tamizh makkale (People of Tamil Nadu who sustain my life).
I am not afraid of entering into politics, but I am afraid of the media. If I say something, they will make it a point for debate. Cho sir used to advise me to be careful with the media. Had he been alive, I would have had the strength of ten elephants.
Kannan said (Lord Kannan in Bagavath Geetha) do your best and he will take care of the rest. Won't people call us cowards, if we don't get into the battlefield? My entry into politics is now certain (fans erupt cheering).
It's only a matter of time. I will launch a new party and contest from 234 constituencies across Tamil Nadu in the coming election.
However, I will not contest in the locals elections, as there isn't enough time.
I am not entering into politics, for money or fame...you have already given it to me in plenty.
Had
I
wanted
only
the
power,
I
would
have
entered
politics
in
1996
itself.
However,
I
waited.
If
I
didn't
have
a
desire
for
power
at
the
age
of
45,
would
I
have
it
now
at
68?
Won't
I
be
called
mad?
Then
what?
Politics
in
the
state
have
become
rotten.
Political
incidents
in
the
last
one
year
have
made
Tamils
put
down
their
heads
(in
shame).
People
from
other
states
are
laughing
at
us.
If
I
don't
take
this
decision
now,
the
feeling
of
guilt
for
not
doing
well
for
the
Tamil
people
will
kill
me.
My
intention
is
to
create
caste
and
religion-less,
spiritual
politics.
It's
not
that
easy
to
bring
such
politics.
Tamil
people
should
make
it
possible.
That
is
what
my
intention
is
and
that
is
what
my
target
is.
I
am
aware
that
is
not
easy
to
launch
a
party
and
win
the
election.
It
is
as
difficult
as
diving
into
the
sea
to
collect
pearls.
With
the
blessings
of
God,
love,
and
the
support
of
people,
we
will
be
able
to
achieve
this.
I
am
confident
that
I
will
get
both.
In
olden
days,
kings
loot
the
jewels
and
people
by
invading
other
countries.
But,
in
democracy,
they
loot
their
own
countrymen.
I
don't
want
partymen,
but
guards.
Guards
who
will
ensure
that
benefits
and
rights
reach
the
common
man.
I
want
guards
who
will
work
selflessly
for
the
welfare
of
the
society.
In
our
party,
we
need
guards
who
will
question
those
who
make
mistakes,
be
it
an
official
or
a
politician.
Such
guards
will
be
promoted
I
will
only
be
a
representative
of
the
people
and
my
job
will
be
to
monitor
those
guards.
We need a potent force to build the guard and the party.
There
are
thousands
of
registered
fans
clubs
in
rural
and
urban
parts
of
Tamil
Nadu.
The
number
of
unregistered
clubs
maybe
even
1.5
times
higher
than
this.
Our
first
duty
to
is
to
get
the
unregistered
fan
clubs
to
register
and
create
a
network
by
integrating
them
across
the
state.
We
are
going
to
be
the
guard...
you
should
bring
all
the
people..women,
elderly,
youngsters,
educated
and
uneducated
people
under
the
ambit
of
the
fan
club.
Every
street
in
the
village
of
Tamil
Nadu
should
have
our
fan
club.
This
is
my
first
duty
to
you.
We
all
should
come
under
one
umbrella.
We
all
should
maintain
discipline.
Until
such
time,
we
will
refrain
ourselves
from
speaking
about
politics,
including
myself.
Don't
scold
politicians...
Don't
criticize
them..
there
are
a
lot
of
people
who
do
just
that.
There
are
a
lot
of
people
in
the
political
pond,
they
have
to
swim
in
the
pond
to
survive.
We
are
yet
to
get
into
the
pond.
At
the
right
time
before
the
assembly
elections,
we
will
launch
our
party.
We
will
reveal
our
plans
to
people.
We
will
tell
them
what
we
can
do
and
what
cannot.
If
we
cannot
fulfil
our
promises
within
three
years,
we
will
leave
the
government.
Our mantra will be the truth, hard work, and growth (Progress). Our ideology: think good, do good and good will happen. Our force will be there in the coming democratic war, that is in the assembly election."
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