OPS Welcomes Rajini’s Entry Into Politics, Says Alliance Possible

The Quint
·2 min read

After Tamil superstar Rajinikanth announced that an “extremely necessary” political change in the southern state had caused him to form a new party by January 2021, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader O Panneerselvam said that politics was the art of the impossible and that his party would not shy away from an alliance with the superstar’s party.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Panneerselvam also added that he welcomed Rajinikanth’s decision to formally enter politics.

"“We welcome great actor Rajinikanth’s decision to enter politics. In politics, anything can happen. If there is any chance, an alliance can be formed with his party.”" - O Panneerselvam, Deputy Chief Minister

In the 2016 Assembly election, the AIADMK, under the leadership of its late chief J Jayalalithaa had won 135 seats, followed by the late M Karunanidhi-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

Also Read: ‘Will Give Life to Tamil People’: Rajini Announces Political Party

Won’t Erode DMK’s Vote Bank: A Raja

While AIADMK became the first party since 1989 to win two successive elections and form the government, it was shaken by a massive leadership crisis and a bitter power struggle between the OPS and Sasikala faction, following the death of J Jayalalitha on 5 December 2016.

Meanwhile, the DMK’s A raja said that Rajinikanth’s formal entry into politics would erode and dilute the party’s vote back at any cost, reported ANI.

"“DMK vote bank won’t be diluted at any cost. The antagonism & antipathy towards the corrupt govt of Edappadi Palaniswami will remain, which will be helpful to DMK.”" - A Raja, DMK leaderWhat’s on Rajini’s Mind?

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Rajinikanth said: “I never go back on the promises I make. Political change is necessary. It is the need of the hour. If it is not done now, it will be never done. For this, I urge people to stand by me. Together we will bring change.”

He further said that a political change is imminent and urged the people to stand by him.

"“I am ready to give my life to the Tamil people. I will never falter on this. A political change is imminent and extremely necessary now. If not now, never. We should change, change everything. After I enter politics, if I win or lose, all of it belongs to the people. With folded hands I request with folded hands, those who have made my livelihood here, to stand by me.”" - Rajinikanth

He further announced that Gandhi Makkal Iyakkam leader Tamilaruvi Manian has been appointed as supervisor.

. Read more on Politics by The Quint.OPS Welcomes Rajini’s Entry Into Politics, Says Alliance Possible‘Mahashay’ Dharmpal Gulati: From Refugee Camp to Padma Bhushan . Read more on Politics by The Quint.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Japan announces plans to launch upgraded observation satellites on new flagship rocket's 3rd flight

    Japan’s space agency announced Friday a plan to launch a major upgrade to its satellite imaging system, as a new flagship rocket is put to the test for a third time. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency that an H3 rocket will be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center, on a southwestern Japanese island, early afternoon on June 30, with a launch window that runs through the end of July. The rocket will be carrying an Advanced Land Observation Satellite, ALOS-4, tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking, as well as with monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry.

  • Trending tickers: Alphabet, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon and Anglo American

    The latest investor updates on stocks that are trending on Friday.

  • 3:35 a.m. Friday Update: Storms continue to move across Oklahoma

    3:35 a.m. Friday Update: Storms continue to move across Oklahoma

  • Two men charged in Channel deaths investigation

    Five migrants, including a child, were killed in a crush on board a boat crossing the Channel.

  • Lifeboat found floating in sea has been transformed into glamping Yellow Submarine

    A lifeboat found floating in the sea after being stolen by pirates has been turned into a 'Yellow Submarine' for glamping. Andy Barton, 58, transformed the discarded vessel into camp-site accommodation. It has a fully-equipped kitchen featuring a fridge, hob, sink, double-bed, single bunk-bed, a dining area with a sofa and an outdoor BBQ and firepit. The sub was originally used on a big tanker ship named 'Northsea Pioneer' until it was attacked by Somali Pirates off the East African coast in 2019. The escaping pirates stole the vessel and years year the lifeboat was discovered drifting between the UK and northern Spain. Some friends of Andy's found the lifeboat off the coast of Portsmouth - and they held onto it until Andy decided to turn it into a fake submarine.

  • Reading terror attack families ‘trusting’ inquest judge to provide answers

    Libyan refugee Khairi Saadallah fatally stabbed James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in June 2020.

  • Haas confirm Nico Hulkenberg exit ahead of Audi switch

    The German driver joined Haas last year but will leave the American-owned team at the end of the season

  • 'Daily Show' Bit Lays Bare A Damning Contradiction Of Donald Trump

    The former president's dueling narratives are exposed by Jordan Klepper, Ronny Chieng and Michael Kosta.

  • Anne Hathaway Has Good And Bad News About Sequels To 2 Of Her Most Iconic Films

    "We're in a good place..."

  • China warns relations with US could slip into ‘downward spiral’ if red lines crossed

    Wang Yi tells Antony Blinken ‘disruptions’ could arise amid threat of sanctions over China’s support of Russia’s defence industry

  • FTSE 100 Live 26 April: Anglo American rejects BHP, blue-chips hit another new record, $5bn Darktrace deal

    Darktrace’s three year stay on the London stock market is set to end after the cybersecurity firm backed a £4 billion takeover by a US private equity firm. The developments came as mining giant Anglo American said it had rejected BHP’s “opportunistic” £31 billion bid approach.

  • India begins second phase of national elections with PM Modi's BJP as front-runner

    Millions of Indians began voting on Friday in the second round of multi-phase national elections as Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to galvanize voters with his assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics. The outcome of Friday’s voting will be crucial for Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, as the 88 constituencies up for grabs across 13 states include some of its strongholds in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. (AP video Piyush Nagpal/Shonal Ganguly)

  • New £152million fraud website will stop victims being conned, says City of London Police chief

    Criminals target Taylor Swift fans looking to buy tickets for her sold-out summer concerts in Wembley

  • NFL Draft Round 1 Recap: 5 biggest fantasy storylines & instant draft grades

    Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald breakdown the five biggest fantasy storylines from night one of the draft and provide instant draft grades and dynasty rookie rankings.

  • Brazil Indigenous people rally for land protection

    STORY: Thousands of Indigenous protestors in Brazil marched around the national congress on Thursday, calling on the government to protect their ancestral lands.It's part of a yearly protest this week -- in defense of Indigenous land rights.They are upset with the government for planning a railway to transport grain from farm states to ports in the Amazon for export as they fear doing so will destroy the environment of tribal communities near the Tapajos river.Mana Shanenawa is an Indigenous leader taking part."In the past, we died by the knife, by the bullet and today we die by the pen -by making laws and by taking away our rights. This is a huge genocide that can happen within our nation, within the people, because our indigenous land is life. For us, it is forest and life."The protestors accuse Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government of not keeping to promises to officially recognize Indigenous reservations as ancestral lands. They say the recognition is essential to protect their territories from illegal loggers, wildcat gold miners and land grabbers encroaching on the expanding agricultural frontier in the Amazon.President Lula, who met with 40 Indigenous leaders who led the march, said on X that, quote:"It is my moral duty to do what I can to minimize the suffering of Indigenous people and guarantee their rights." But the leaders came away with little more than promises.Lula's minority government is undecided on whether to approve the railway project, which has strong backing from Brazil's powerful agricultural sector.However, the farm caucus in Congress is pressing for the building of the 590-mile-long railway, first proposed in 2015 before Lula was in office.In a statement to Reuters, the caucus said the project is of extreme importance for the shipment of grains.They claim it will cut freight costs by 25% and release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the trucks that are currently used.

  • Two charged after deaths of five migrants in English Channel

    Two men, both aged 22, are charged with immigration offences

  • These Stocks Are Moving the Most Today

    Alphabet shares surge after Google’s parent posts better-than-expected earnings and announces its first cash dividend, Microsoft posts 31% quarterly growth in Azure cloud-computing revenue, and Snap soars after issuing a strong forecast for second-quarter sales.

  • Electrolux Q1 loss nearly triples on weak demand but beats expectations

    Electrolux's operating loss nearly tripled in the first quarter on weak demand and poor performance in North America, but the loss was smaller than expected as raw material costs eased, sending shares up 6%. Electrolux, which prices its products in many regions at the premium end of the market, has seen consumers opt for cheaper alternatives, but said on Friday that is saw consumer confidence indicators to be bottoming out. "The price pressure in North America and high promotional activity in other markets characterizing the latter part of 2023 continued in the first quarter."

  • London mayor election: Sadiq Khan wants TfL to run more commuter trains

    Bid to seize control of Southeastern metro services and Great Northern trains

  • Team Trump Fine With Pissing Off MAGA to Compete With Biden

    Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily BeastWelcome to Trail Mix, your 2024 election sanity guide. See something interesting on the trail? Email me at jake.lahut@thedailybeast.com. To get Trail Mix in your inbox, subscribe here for free.This week, an exploration of how much Trump can run afoul of MAGA and why he would do it. Plus, life after the 2024 primary, and more news from Michigan’s Senate race.NOT SO BASED DONIt’s one of the seemingly ironclad natural laws of the Trump era: that rar