Not jealous: Rajinikanth's clarification over meeting MK Stalin post Vijay's win

Superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday cleared the air around his meeting with DMK chief MK Stalin after his party's defeat in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly election, saying he met the former CM as a friend, but it was misconstrued as disapproval of Vijay becoming the next Chief Minister.

Addressing a press conference at his residence in Chennai's Poes Garden, the legendary actor said, “I am not jealous of anyone,” clarifying that he harbours no ill will toward the new political leadership as he is not in politics.

Rajinikanth’s clarification comes after Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single-largest party and formed the government with the support of smaller allies, a development that could reshape Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu in the years ahead.

“I am holding this press meeting because many criticisms are being made about me in connection with the election. If I do not respond, they will be accepted as the truth,” he said.

He added that his friendship with Stalin goes beyond politics and expressed that he was saddened by the former CM's defeat in Kolathur. Stalin, who had represented the seat three times in the past, lost to TVK's VS Babu by nearly 9,000 votes.

“Rajini is not someone who speaks unnecessarily or without reason,” he further said.

He also said that he had congratulated Vijay as soon as the election results showed his party winning the polls, though he admitted he was surprised to see Vijay become the state's CM in his first-ever election.

Noting the 24-year age gap between him and the new Tamil Nadu CM, Rajinikanth praised Vijay for independently earning recognition by standing against the two major Dravidian parties — DMK and AIADMK.

- Ends