How Rajinikanth’s speech affected AIADMK veteran RM Veerappan’s political journey

Start of collapse: Rajinikanth and RM Veerappan at the event to celebrate Basha’s 100-day run on July 14, 1995. Veerappan’s interpretation that the actor did not always cut snow with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who accused him of “enjoying”, who enjoys the dietrribase against him. , Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

On 9 April, the first death anniversary of RM Veerappan (RMV) marked, one of the powerful leaders of AIADMK, who served in the cabinets of party founder MG Ramachandran and his successor Jayalalithaa. In a preview video for a documentary, RMV: The King Maker, who was recently released by true films, Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth recalled how his speech at a film festival impressed RMV’s political visit. In the video, Rajinikanth said, “Jayalalithaa dismisses RMV from her cabinet was a reason for speaking against my government.”

Worked with election work

A series of reports published in Hindu in 1995, with Jayalalithaa, expanded detailed on RMV’s roller-coaster political journey since 1991. In the 1991 assembly elections, RMV was denied an opportunity to contest elections. Jayalalithaa assigned him electoral work. However, after AIADMK won, he was made the Minister of Education. Later, he won from Kangayam, vacant by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who retained Burgur, the second seat she contested.

But in the context of dispute at Madras Christian College, trouble over his statements on minority rights started making liquor for him. The Chief Minister divided the RMV of education portfolio and put them as in charge of the welfare of backward classes. In May 1992, he dropped her from the ministry. A year later, he returned to the cabinet, this time as a Food Minister.

However, on July 14, 1995, Rajinikanth kicked a controversy at an event to celebrate the 100-day run of his film Basha. This happened a day before the minister’s long -employed visit by the minister as the film was released under the banner of RMV’s Satya films, he shared the day with the actor. Rajinikanth advocated the country-elders in the house of film director Mani Ratnam in Chennai. According to a report in the Hindu, he regretted “the spread of bomb culture in Tamil Nadu” and urged the state government to present a piece of law to exclude it.

Sought clarification

RMV Oru Thondar (RMV, a worker), a biography of Raniminthan goes into detail in the event. A fierce Jayalalithaa called RMV and demanded an explanation from him. “How can you keep quiet when Rajni commented,” the biographical writer asked Jayalalithaa to RMV on the intercom, although he went to meet her at the Chief Minister’s office. Although RMV argued that his mind was in Rajinikanth’s character, Jayalalithaa was not convinced; Instead, he accused him of “enjoying” against him. RMV understood what would happen to him. However, he left for the US according to the plan. Meanwhile, there was a protest at the AIADMK against his “failure” to resume Rajinikanth’s comments.

In particular, the party’s organ, Namthu MGR questioned his “silence”, while Rajinikanth was criticizing the Chief Minister “indirectly”. The article accused RMV of “betrayal” by the party’s general secretary and said that even an ordinary AIADMK worker would have protested against the comment. He should have opposed against raising issues at a film event and denied allegations against the government, of which he was a part. The Hindu said that the steps initiated by the Chief Minister to curb the bomb blasts should also have been explained to the audience.

Offer to leave

RMV, who was abroad, was in a hurry to issue an explanation, confirmed her loyalty to Jayalalithaa and was offering to leave the ministry if he was so desired. An order that was later issued was transferred to another minister to another minister during his absence. The case was kept to rest when the RMV returned home and resumed his duties as Food Minister. But the issue started again when Rajinikanth met him.

There was a lot of importance in the meeting as it came on the day when a referendum survey was published which indicated strong support for the film star if he chose to enter politics. The Hindu said that this discussion removed the expectations that plans were revealed to work on a common political platform for Rajinikanth and RMV. On September 1, 1995, Jayalalithaa removed two ministers, including RMV from her cabinet.

Rajinikanth issued a statement in which it was with the former minister and apologized to him and his supporters. He said that he did not regret his speech at the film event, but he later realized that he should not have done this in the presence of RMV. He also stated that his meeting with RMV, after his return from the US, was a courtesy call.

Later, RMV participated in the Anna Birth Anniversary Meeting in Karikudi, although he was not named in the list of speakers. Several fans of Rajinikanth attended the meeting and RMV was forced to mention the actor. A few days later, he was expelled from AIADMK.

Determination to remain in public life, RMV established MGR Kazgam on 17 October 1995. But the party did not achieve any success.