Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, in a statement on Sunday, 17 February, said neither he nor his party Rajini Makkal Mandram would be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
He also said his photo or the symbol of his party should strictly not be used for any propaganda.
Pointing out that the biggest problem in Tamil Nadu is water scarcity, the superstar urged people to vote for the party which promises the best policies to resolve the water crisis in the state.
At the same time, he stated that he will not be extending his support to any party.
Rajinikanth, who turned 69 in December 2018, had announced his political entry on 31 December 2017 while interacting with his fans in Chennai.
He had then said his to-be-launched political party would contest in all the 234 Assembly segments in Tamil Nadu during the next polls, due in 2021.
Both Rajinikanth and his fellow actor Kamal Haasan entered politics around the same time, after the death of former Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.
Unlike Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan said his party would contest the national election. He told reporters on 7 February, “Our aim is to not go with any tainted group. We are preparing to contest on all 40 seats (in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry). I cannot say at this moment from where I will contest.”
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)