Efforts being made to paint me with 'saffron', says Rajinikanth

Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth on Friday said the BJP has not invited him to join the party, but insisted efforts were being made to paint him with "saffron", the ideological colour the national party is associated with.

He accused a section of media and "some persons" with making such attempts.

The BJP said it has never claimed the actor was willing to join the party, while the DMK said it was not aware whom the actor was signalling to with his statement on being painted with saffron hues.

On Thursday, Rajinikanth met reporters twice within a span of few hours to talk on issues including his being "painted" with saffron.

Attempts were being made to paint both himself and Thiruvalluvar with saffron, the veteran star said referring to the recent controversy surrounding the Tamil saint-poet.

When asked about senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan's recent meeting with him and the former's repeated assertions that the actor should join the party, Rajinikanth said no such invitation has been made to him.

"No offer has been made (from BJP to join the party).. definitely not," he said.

"Attempts are being made to paint me with BJP colour..

trying to paint me with saffron like Thiruvalluvar was done with.. Neither Thiruvalluvar nor me will get trapped," he said with a big laugh.

Later, when reporters raised the matter with him for a second time, Rajinikanth said "some people, some media--they are trying to colour me as a BJP man."

"But definitely it is not true," he said.

Asked if it was the media or BJP that painted him in saffron colour, he said "some persons."

While any party could be happy if he joins it, only he should take a call on the matter, the actor said, adding "but it is wrong to say they are dependent on me."

On November 1, the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit had on its Twitter handle written a couplet from Thiruvalluvar's classic "Thirukkural," questioning the use of education if the Almighty was not worshipped.

Tagging the couplet, the saffron party targeted the Dravidar Kazhagam, DMK and the Left parties for allegedly deriding God and for

berating believers and questioned "what is the use of their education."

Also, the party had posted a picture of Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes with sacred ash on his forehead, with the issue leading to a spat between the BJP and the DMK and other opposition parties.