‘Not Involved’: Rajinikanth Refutes Claims Of Mediating Between DMK, AIADMK After Tamil Nadu Polls

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 14:22 IST

The actor also rejected suggestions that he was envious of actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, who recently assumed office as Tamil Nadu chief minister

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday dismissed speculation that he had attempted to broker a political understanding between the DMK and the AIADMK following the fractured mandate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Addressing reporters at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, Rajinikanth said he had no role in any political negotiations between the two Dravidian parties and reiterated that he was no longer involved in politics.

The actor also rejected suggestions that he was envious of actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, who recently assumed office as Tamil Nadu chief minister after a dramatic electoral breakthrough.

Rajinikanth said Tamil Nadu’s political landscape may have been ready for change after decades of dominance by the two principal Dravidian parties.

“The Dravidian parties have been ruling for nearly 60 years. Perhaps there was a need for change, and Vijay was in the right place to bring that change," he said.

Praising Vijay’s political success, Rajinikanth said the younger actor had achieved something unprecedented by emerging victorious against established political forces.

“There is a gap of almost 20-25 years between Vijay and me. His achievement is even bigger than what NTR and MGR accomplished. He has won against a powerful central government and against two major Dravidian parties," he said, referring to former Andhra Pradesh chief minister NT Rama Rao and former Tamil Nadu chief minister MG Ramachandran.

Questioning why he would feel jealous of Vijay’s rise, Rajinikanth said he had already stepped away from politics.

“When I am not in politics, why should I envy him?" he asked.

The veteran actor also appealed for patience and said Vijay should be given at least two years to prove himself in office.

Rajinikanth had formally announced in 2020 that he would not enter electoral politics due to health concerns, ending years of speculation about his political ambitions.

Despite remaining outside active politics, his comments on Tamil Nadu’s political developments continue to attract significant public attention.

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