Rajinikanth warns Tamil Nadu government over reopening TASMAC liquor shops

The superstar said the government can ‘forget about coming back to power again’

actor-rajinikanth [File] Actor Rajinikanth has tweeted against the government’s decision to approach the Supreme Court over reopening of liquor shops in Tamil Nadu | PTI

Months after he called on the people of Tamil Nadu to launch a movement for a resurgence towards change, superstar Rajinikanth has now come out with a warning against the state government.

The government, citing empty coffers, has decided to approach the Supreme Court to permit reopening of TASMAC liquor shops in the state. However, Rajinikanth has tweeted against this, saying the government can find better ways to fill its coffers.

“If the state reopens the TASMAC at this time, it must forget the dream of coming back to power again. Please find good ways to fill your treasury,” he tweeted on Sunday.

Rajinikanth’s tweet comes a day after fellow actor and friend Kamal Haasan won a case against the government in the Madras High Court. Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam approached the court when all other opposition parties came down heavily on the government’s decision to re-open the retail liquor shops. The government argued in court that the pandemic had closed almost all sources of its own tax revenue. But the Madras High Court ordered the closure of all the retail liquor shops, while allowing online sales.

Kamal Haasan’s writ in the court at the right time has given him and his party a political boost, elevating his standing among women in the state, who had been vociferous against the reopening of liquor shops.

Rajinikanth had largely been silent in the 45 days of lockdown period so far. His comments on coronavirus, a day before the janata curfew on March 21, ran into controversy and was later removed by Twitter. A day after that, another statement by Rajinikanth on COVID-19 and the curfew went viral on social media. In mid-April, the superstar was seen in a short movie on isolation, featuring leading stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Mammootty, Mohanlal and Chiranjeevi among others.