Rajini to spell out political stand on Dec 31

Keeping the guessing game on over his much awaited political plunge, superstar Rajinikanth today said he will announce his stand on entering politics on December 31.

This is for the first time that the charismatic 67-year- old actor, who enjoys cult status in the Tamil film industry, has fixed a date to spell out his plans on entering the political arena."I am not saying that I will come to politics...I will announce my stand on entering politics on December 31," Rajinikanth said.

Addressing a meeting of his fans on the opening day of a six-day-long photo session with his followers here, the superstar said he was hesitant to enter politics since he knew its dynamics."Had I not known its dynamics, I would have said okay," and joined politics, he said.

"I am not new to politics," the Kabaali star said in the same breath and referred to his 1996 stand of voicing opposition to then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa amid applause.Sporting a grey beard and a spectacle, the matinee idol of Tamil cine world for the last four decades spoke in his inimitable simple Tamil.

"If we go to war, we should win, to succeed valour alone is not sufficient, strategy ...(is important)," he said sporting a smile.The actor's remark is seen as a hint that he was strategising to enter politics.Hence, he said, "I will make my stand on joining politics known on December 31."

"Whether people are keen or not, the media is enthusiastic to know if I will join politics," he said.Now, in view of the perceived political vacuum in Tamil Nadu after the demise of Jayalalithaa and DMK president M Karunanidhi being inactive due to ill health, the topic of Rajinikanth entering politics has cropped up again.

Against this background, versatile actor Kamal Haasan too has in recent months giving indications that he could enter politics.Actor Vishal Krishna shouldering leadership responsibilities in actors' and film producers forums too had evinced interest in politics.However, his nomination to contest in the just concluded RK Nagar bypoll was rejected.

In his counter, Rajinikanth had said in May that he was a "Pachhai Tamizhan (pure Tamilian)," as he was living and working in Tamil Nadu for more than four decades.Beginning today, Rajinikanth is scheduled to meet fans covering as many as 18 districts at Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam here.

Rajinikanth, who has a huge fan following with his unique "Rajini style," beginning in late 1970s is likely to meet about 900-1000 fans during the six day programme ending December 31.During summer, he had met fans from 16 districts for a similar event.