Date:10/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/10/stories/2002101004340400.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

I'll reply to detractors during poll: Rajnikant

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI OCT. 9 In another indication of his joining politics soon, the film star, Rajnikant, today said he would reply at election time to his detractors on the Cauvery issue.

Talking to reporters here, he said those who were trying to politicise his statements on the Cauvery crisis would get a reply during the next election. However, he did not elaborate.

Mr. Rajnikant appealed to his fans to remain calm in the present situation.

Clarifying that he was not against an agitation by the film industry on the Cauvery issue, the actor said he was not consulted on the form of stir.

There was no point going to Neyveli for demanding Cauvery water.

He was prepared to lead a delegation of film personalities and present a memorandum to the Governor at the Raj Bhavan. This way the sentiments of the Tamil people would have been conveyed to the Centre.

An agitation could have been held on a second Sunday when the industry did not work.

Such a course of action would have ensured that no one was inconvenienced.

Replying to criticism in Tamil Nadu that he was a Kannadiga, he said people in Karnataka considered him a Tamil, and the people in Maharashtra called him a Madarasi. ``Where am I to go?''

He was an Indian first, then a Tamil.

Pointing out that the Cauvery issue was political, he said a Prime Minister, two Chief Ministers and the court had not been able to solve the issue so far.

How could film personalities find a solution, he wondered.