Rajinikanth may launch political party on December 12

Rajini Makkal Mandram members asked to gear up for the likely event, possibly in Tiruchi.

Pressing questions: Some members of the Rajini Makkal Mandram say there is still no clarity on what the proposed party would stand for and what its philosophy would b

Nearly 10 months after actor Rajinikanth declared his intention to take the political plunge, members of the Rajini Makkal Mandram have been informally asked to gear up for the likely launch of his political party on December 12 — his birthday.

The message has been passed on by word of mouth after a week-long consultative meeting of the district units of the 'mandram', held between October 5 and 11. However, there has been no official word from the actor.

Sources in the 'mandram' said they were looking at mobilising at least 10 lakh members for the event. During last week’s consultation, the district secretaries were informally asked about the number of people they could mobilise for the party’s launch. The venue could be Tiruchi.

“We were asked details like how many members we would be able to mobilise and the number of cars that would come from our district. We were told that there might be an ‘event,’” said a Chennai-based district secretary.

Mr. Rajinikanth announced his political entry on December 31 last year and initiated the streamlining of his formal and informal fan clubs, integrating them into the Rajini Makkal Mandram. Since then the 'mandram' has been focussing on enrolling new members.

However, certain comments made by Mr. Rajinikanth on the anti-Sterlite protests and the subsequent police firing — he had said Tamil Nadu would become a graveyard if people were to protest over everything — and his decision to act in more films seem to have confused his fans and the public at large with regard to his strategy.

Will he, won’t he?

“People are asking if he would really start a political party because he is still acting in movies,” said a Rajini fan and an office-bearer of the mandram.

“There is still no clarity on what the proposed party would stand for. We have never had any internal discussions on the party’s philosophy,” said a district secretary.

Besides, some high-profile office-bearers were removed recently, and long-time fans are complaining about being sidelined.

Against this backdrop, the current organising secretaries — Dr. Ilavarasan and Stalin (hailing from Thoothukudi) — seem to be calling the shots.

“Though we are great fans, many of us joined the 'mandram' thinking this would be a viable alternative to the existing political parties. We are disappointed. Hopefully, Rajinikanth will take control before the slide becomes irreversible,” a functionary said.