Chenna: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Tuesday rebuffed reports of being backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Interacting with the media, he said, "There have been reports that the BJP is supporting me, but I say that God is behind me and after that, I have the support of the people. No matter how many times you ask me this question, my answer will remain the same."
Rajinikanth further condemned the vandalisation of Periyar`s statue, terming it as a 'barbaric act'.Speaking on the controversy of Rama Rajya Rath Yatra, he said, "Tamil Nadu is a secular state, I have full confidence that police will maintain communal harmony."
The actor, who enjoys cult status in Tamil Nadu, had on December 31, 2017, announced he will launch his political party, which will contest all 234 seats in the next Assembly elections.
Earlier, on March 5, 2018, invoking the legacy of late AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran, he had said that he was confident of giving a good administration like the yesteryear matinee idol.
"Nobody can match MGR even in 1,000 years and that includes me," Rajinikanth had said referring to criticism, especially from the ruling AIADMK that not all can emulate the late CM's success in politics.
Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, is often referred to as the benchmark of success in Tamil Nadu politics, especially for an actor, with many other cinema professionals trying to emulate him.
The 67-year old superstar had added that he would take recourse to technology besides assistance from experts and technocrats in delivering governance.
Rajinikanth had further said that he would follow spiritual governance that would have no discrimination based on caste or creed.
(With Agency inputs)
