Rajinikanth unveils MG Ramachandran's statue in Chennai

Chennai: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Monday unveiled the statue of MG Ramachandran at ACS Medical College and Hospital.

MGR was worshipped by his followers for heralding pro-people regimes starting 1977, with special focus on the welfare of the poor and downtrodden, making him a darling of the masses.

Unseating the DMK after breaking away from it, MGR had ruled the state for over a decade till his death in December 1987 and was known for his populist measures.

After unveiling the statue, Rajinikanth said in his over 30-minute speech, that like late AIADMK founder, he was confident of giving a good administration in the state.

 "Nobody can match MGR even in 1,000 years and that includes me. But I am confident that I can give a rule like him, that will benefit the poor and the common man," Rajinikanth said amidst loud cheers from the gathering.

Commencing his speech by saying he had not wanted to speak politics at an educational institution, Rajinikanth said he had no option due to demands from the people.

Earlier in February 2018, he had said that efforts were on to build a strong foundation for the political party he would launch and had asked his fans to keep quiet and "make noise at the right time."

"It is being said others are making (political) noise and they (his fans and supporters) are keeping quiet... Let the others make noise, let us make the noise at the right time," Rajinikanth had said to a thunderous applause by his supporters.

While he did not take any names about who he was referring to, his comments were seen as a veiled reference to his contemporary film star Kamal Haasan, who launched his political party Makkal Maiam (MNM) in Madurai.

Addressing his fans and supporters from Tirunelveli district, the superstar had said if a political party in the state had the "guarantee of a vote bank", it was due to the "foundation" it had created.

The actor, who enjoys cult status in Tamil Nadu, had on December 31, 22017, announced he will launch his political party, which will contest all 234 seats in the next Assembly elections.

(With PTI inputs)