If it's election time in Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth is the Boss

CHENNAI: It's been an extraordinary few weeks for 61-year-old actor 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, even without counting his presence in the stands during the India-Sri Lanka cricket World Cup final . As Tamil Nadu goes to the polls on April 13, candidates from virtually every party worth its name in the state has been queuing up for a meeting and a photo-op.

Rajinikanth has obliged them all. Everytime there are elections, there's a tendency, especially among his fans, to look Rajini-ward for cues. It all started in 1996, when he thundered the now-famous words "Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if AIADMK returns to power" . In the elections that followed, the AIA DMK didn't return to power. Eight years on, he backed the BJP-AIADMK combine in the Lok Sabha elections, but didn't thrust his choice on his fans.

Unfortunately for the alliance, they were routed, failing to even open their account. So it is not surprising that in the last few elections, there has only been silence though there has been the odd rumour (and the odd April Fool joke) of Rajini forming a party. In 2008, an attempt by some of his fans to start a party in his name didn't go down well with the Superstar. But whether or not he fights elections or endorses a party, Rajinikant remains the most sought-after man in Tamil Nadu come election time. In most states, politicians make a beeline for the biggest and most influential deity.

In Chennai, capital of one of India's most religious states, all roads lead to Rajini's Poes Garden residence. This time around, the lead was taken by the DMK, the atheist party founded by CN Annadurai one year before Rajini was born to impoverished Maharashtrian parents in Bangalore in 1950. Three of its leaders , including Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin, called on Rajinikanth in recent weeks on separate occasions.

Politicians Strive to be on Right Side

Sign of his closeness to the DMK? Not quite. AIADMK's Saidai Duraisamy, Stalin's rival in Kolathur (the assembly constituency where he is contesting from), wasted no time in doing something similar. On last count, the list of those who met him after the elections were announced include BJP national president Nitin Gadkari. M Rajini Dilli, secretary (Anna Nagar) of the Rajinikanth fan club, says there is nothing to be inferred this time.

"There have been no instructions (regarding whom to vote for)," says he. "When politicians of such stature visit him, he can't turn them away. He isn't someone who shows disrespect . He meets them all." Rajini's close friend and political commentator Cho Ramaswamy agrees. "Many of you believe he must have something to do with the elections," he says. "I can't see that angle. Many other stars are quiet. Why pick only Rajini," he asks. Ramaswamy says he knows how this queuing up started. The media, he says, spotted him meeting Rajini. "And it was suggested that I was trying to coax Rajini to support the AIADMK. Actually, we didn't discuss the matter at all," he says. "Later, we had a good laugh about it."