<p>Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has been teasing his fans about his political entry since 1996, the first time he took a political stand. From then till 2017, the speculation on his impending political entry was non-stop. On the last day of 2017, however, he ended the speculation saying his entry into politics is certain.</p>.<p>But he seemed to have developed a cold feet after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections which the DMK-led alliance swept, by putting the onus on his political entry on the people. On Thursday, he finally announced that he will launch his political party in January.</p>.<p>Here is the chronology of the two-decade long suspense:</p>.<p><strong>1996: </strong>Rajinikanth comes out in the open against the then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa saying “even god cannot save Tamil Nadu if she comes back to power again”. He backs the DMK-TMC alliance, which sweeps the polls.</p>.<p><strong>1998:</strong> Rajinikanth backs the DMK-TMC alliance yet again in the 1998 Lok Sabha polls. The alliance bites the dust.</p>.<p><strong>1999-2003: </strong>Rajinikanth refrains from supporting any political party or combine</p>.<p><strong>2004: </strong>Rajinikanth asks his fans to vote out PMK candidates in Lok Sabha polls in May 2004 by covertly supporting the AIADMK dispensation. DMK-Congress-PMK alliance wins all 39 Lok Sabha seats.</p>.<p><strong>2004-2017: </strong>Rajinikanth goes into “silent mode”</p>.<p><strong>December 31, 2017: </strong>Rajinikanth announces his entry into politics.</p>.<p><strong>March 12, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth puts the onus on the people for him to join politics</p>.<p><strong>October 29, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth admits he underwent a renal transplant and indicates he may have to shelve political plans</p>.<p><strong>November 30, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth meets district secretaries of his Rajini Makkal Mandram</p>.<p><strong>December 3, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth announces he will launch his own political party in January 2021.</p>
<p>Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has been teasing his fans about his political entry since 1996, the first time he took a political stand. From then till 2017, the speculation on his impending political entry was non-stop. On the last day of 2017, however, he ended the speculation saying his entry into politics is certain.</p>.<p>But he seemed to have developed a cold feet after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections which the DMK-led alliance swept, by putting the onus on his political entry on the people. On Thursday, he finally announced that he will launch his political party in January.</p>.<p>Here is the chronology of the two-decade long suspense:</p>.<p><strong>1996: </strong>Rajinikanth comes out in the open against the then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa saying “even god cannot save Tamil Nadu if she comes back to power again”. He backs the DMK-TMC alliance, which sweeps the polls.</p>.<p><strong>1998:</strong> Rajinikanth backs the DMK-TMC alliance yet again in the 1998 Lok Sabha polls. The alliance bites the dust.</p>.<p><strong>1999-2003: </strong>Rajinikanth refrains from supporting any political party or combine</p>.<p><strong>2004: </strong>Rajinikanth asks his fans to vote out PMK candidates in Lok Sabha polls in May 2004 by covertly supporting the AIADMK dispensation. DMK-Congress-PMK alliance wins all 39 Lok Sabha seats.</p>.<p><strong>2004-2017: </strong>Rajinikanth goes into “silent mode”</p>.<p><strong>December 31, 2017: </strong>Rajinikanth announces his entry into politics.</p>.<p><strong>March 12, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth puts the onus on the people for him to join politics</p>.<p><strong>October 29, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth admits he underwent a renal transplant and indicates he may have to shelve political plans</p>.<p><strong>November 30, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth meets district secretaries of his Rajini Makkal Mandram</p>.<p><strong>December 3, 2020: </strong>Rajinikanth announces he will launch his own political party in January 2021.</p>