New Delhi: Actor-turned politician Rajinikanth has said that AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran (MGR) was his friend and that he too can give an MGR-style government to Tamil Nadu with the blessings of people.

Rajinikanth, who unveiled the statue of the late chief minister at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai, said not many people knew about the relationship between him and MGR.

“They say, not everyone can be MGR. I agree. MGR is a revolutionary. Not in a 1,000 years can there be another MGR. If anyone says he will be the next MGR, he is insane. But I have the confidence that I can give the people's government that MGR gave to the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Rajinikanth said he had a duty to protect and serve the people. “That's why I am entering politics. I don't expect you (opponents) to put out a red carpet for me. But why do you try to block me?”

Rajinikanth said he knew politics was not an easy route. In a thinly-veiled comment aimed at the AIADMK government, he said, “I know it is full of pitfalls and poison and thorns. I know it as much as you do. But why create a hassle for me.”

Rajinikanth went on to explain what he meant by spiritual politics. “They ask, what is spiritual politics? A true, clean and honest politics is spiritual politics. The belief that all life is equal is spiritual politics. Having belief in God is spiritual politics.”

Rajinikanth said people were asking him why he had come to politics now and why he had not entered politics when Jayalalithaa was alive. “I don't have to remind people that I gave my voice when she was alive in 1996. I am not afraid of anyone. Why did I come now? Because there is vacancy. There is vacancy for leadership and good governance in Tamil Nadu.”