Among several political leaders who commented on Rajinikanth’s statement that his party will not contest in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, actor Kamal Haasan criticised the decision in an indirect attack.

Speaking to the media, the Makkal Needhi Maiam chief said wrestlers cannot get ready, oil up, come to the ring and say that they will fight another day as that would mean losing their respect. Referring to Rajinikanth’s announcements on entering politics, he said “you were thumping your thighs yesterday, why were you thumping? Just for sound?”

Kamal Haasan also announced that his party will contest from 40 seats for the polls. “Whoever comes to Delhi, it will affect TN. We are going there (to Delhi) for that.

Apart from Kamal, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar and AIADMK leader K P Munusamy too commented on Rajinikanth’s decision. While Jayakumar said that Rajinikanth has expressed that he will not contest and wished him luck, K P Munusamy alleged that he (Rajinikanth) was only giving interviews to the press and not meeting the people. “We are meeting the people,” he said.

BJP State Secretary Tamilisai Soundararajan denied that Rajinikanth’s advice to the people to vote for a stable government was targetting the BJP.

The leader said that some people have been alleging that Rajinikanth’s words were against the BJP. “This is 200% not against the BJP. The BJP is providing a stable government at the Centre and is solving the water problem and issues,” she said, according to reports.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said that Rajinikanth’s decision will not affect the elections in anyway.