A day after actor Rajinikanth announced his entry into politics, he took to Twitter to announce the launch of a website that will register members from his registered and unregistered fan clubs as well as those willing to join his party. Although he is yet to announce name for the party and its organisational structure, he had said in his speech that the priority would be to register unregistered fan clubs.
In a video address that opens with the words “Honesty, Hard Work and Progress”, Rajinikanth makes the announcement. After thanking all those who welcomed his entry into politics, he says, “In order to bring about good governance in Tamil Nadu, I have started a rajinimandram.org page for registered fan clubs, unregistered fan clubs and the people of Tamil Nadu. There you can register your name and voter ID number and become a member. Let's bring about a good change in governance in Tamil Nadu. Long live the people of Tamil Nadu. Growth to Tamil Nadu.”
Rajinikanth is seated on a sofa, while the now-famous 'Baba' hand symbol is framed behind him.
In his speech on December 31, Rajinikanth had said that his first priority would be to register all the unregistered fan clubs. “I have several thousand fan clubs, in village and cities all across the state. The unregistered ones are twice as many. We need to get the unregistered clubs registered, and unite them all together. This is an important task, and our first task,” he said.
While the website is called Rajini Mandram, it is uncertain if this would be the name of his party.
Shortly thereafter, in a press release signed by him, the All India Rajinikanth Fans Association also announced the launch of an Android app for registering the same details. The statement too had the Baba movie symbol.
It is estimated that there are around 50,000 unregistered fan clubs for Rajinikanth, large and small, function throughout the state. His official fan association had stopped registering members way back in 1996-1997.