Superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday announced that he will neither take the political plunge nor start a party as announced earlier, citing his frail health.

He was discharged from a Hyderabad hospital on Sunday after being treated for blood pressure fluctuations. The top actor expressed fears over those accompanying him in his possible political journey facing “mental and economic” problems in the due course. “My hospitalisation was a warning given by God. My campaign will impact health amid the pandemic,” the superstar added, explaining the reason for his decision. The 70-year-old’s debut in politics has been anticipated by fans for nearly 25 years but despite weighing in on various subjects, he had not taken the plunge.

He indicated that he did not want to sound chivalrous by saying that he will join politics despite his severe health concerns and that he did not want to “make a victim” of his supporters now.

“Therefore, I inform with great regret I am unable to come to politics by floating a political party. Only I know the pain behind making this announcement,” the superstar actor said in a statement, months after he said that he will float his own outfit in January and face the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. He however said that he will serve people in whatever ways he can without entering electoral politics.

The author is a student member of Amity centre of happiness