‘Not new, just delayed’: Rajinikanth maintains suspense over entry to politics

Tamil actor Rajinikanth remained cryptic over his decision, saying when going into battle, one needed to fight to win, but added that he wasn't saying he was joining politics.

Following months of speculation over his political plans, actor Rajinikanth still kept everyone guessing on Tuesday when he addressed fans at the start of a six-day outreach programme in Chennai.
"I am not saying that I will come to politics... I will announce my stand on entering politics on December 31," the Tamil actor said, adding, "I am not new to politics. I got delayed. Entering is equal to victory."
Addressing fans from Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, Rajinikanth went on to say, "We need to be prepared well when we go to a battle. We need to fight to win or there's no use of going to a battle," ANI quoted him as saying.
Talks of Rajnikanth, and actor Kamal Haasan, foraying into Tamil Nadu politics sprung up following the death of chief minister J Jayalalithaa in December 2016. While both actors made veiled remarks without any formal announcement for months, Haasan, in November, said he was ready to take the plunge.
Now, it seems, so does Rajinikanth.
Earlier in May, the actor said he would enter politics that next day "if God wills it".
The 67-year-old actor, who enjoys cult-status in the Tamil film industry, will be meeting over 1,000 fans for six days across 18 districts.
"I am excited to meet my fans. I had planned meet with my fans in advance," he said at the event, which saw directors Mahendran and Kalaignanam accompany him.
Rajinikanth's announcement comes after the RK Nagar bypoll  the constituency that Jayalalithaa represented saw a shock defeat of the late chief minister's party, the ruling AIADMK party on Sunday. TTV Dhinakaran, a sidelined AIADMK leader who contested as an independent, won by a staggering margin that outpaced even Jayalalithaa's.