No ‘jealousy’ against Vijay, meeting with Stalin was friendship call, says Rajini

Rajinikanth denied jealousy toward Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and clarified his meeting with M. K. Stalin was personal. He praised Vijay’s political rise, urged public patience, and reiterated he avoided politics due to health reasons

Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday denied he was “jealous” about Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and clarified that his recent meeting with DMK president M K Stalin was “purely” a friendship call and not done with any political motive.

Talking to reporters at his Poes Garden residence here, and responding to some reports, the top star made it clear that the meeting with the former chief minister Stalin was not an attempt to hinder Vijay’s chief ministerial aspirations or merge political parties.

Dismissing that he had any envy towards TVK founder and chief minister Vijay, the “Jailer” star said there was a 25-year generational gap between him and the CM and commended Vijay’s impressive achievements at a young age, which he said surpassed even those of the legendary MGR (MG Ramachandran) and NTR (N T Rama Rao). MGR and NTR, the two matinee idols from Tamil and Telugu cinema had gone on to become CM of Tamil Nadu and the then undivided Andhra Pradesh, respectively.

“I have seen Vijay since a young age. Why would I be jealous if he had become CM. That too at a young age of 52, he has achieved more than MGR and NTR… I have no envy at all,” he added.

Rajinikanth also congratulated Vijay, whose TVK won 108 seats to form government after getting support from Congress, VCK, Left parties and IUML after the April 23 elections defeating Dravidian majors — DMK and AIADMK.

The superstar further said that he did not enter politics due to health reasons and advised his fans to support any political party of their choice.

Rajinikanth also urged the people to grant Vijay a two-year period to establish himself.