Chennai, Mar 5: Months after Rajinikanth unveiled his plans to practice 'spiritual politics', the actor-turned-politician delivered his first public address, making clear his plans to contest the next assembly elections in the state.

Rajinikanth said he did not had a long-term plan in place to mark his entry into politics. His decision was based on the prevailing circumstances, he claimed. "Jayalalithaa is no more and Karunanidhi is ill. Tamil Nadu needs a leader. I will come and fill that vacuum," the Tamil Superstar told the gathering at the MGR  Educational and Research Institute in Chennai.

"Both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi were able administrators. They were leaders whom Tamil Nadu trusted. But after them, the people have lost all their hopes," he added.

"I know the political journey is not easy. It is a journey through struggles and hurdles but I can give governance which they gave to common people and I trust I can do that too," Rajinikanth said.

Stressing on his relationship with the DMK patriarch, Rajinikanth claimed that he learnt the basics about politics due to his close ties with Karunanidhi.

"After having close relationship with M Karunanidhi, GK Moopanar and others I learned a lot about politics. Politics is a way where there are snakes, thorns and difficulties," he added.

Accusing the the present AIADMK government of turning "anti-people", Rajinikanth said it is unfortunate that a "67-year-old man is forced to enter politics to oust them from power".

"The present government and politicians are asking why are actors leaving their makeup and coming to take over their jobs as politicians. I am 67 years now, since you are not doing your duty I am stepping in," he further added.

Condemning the AIADMK for the flak meted out towards him and fellow-actor Kamal Haasan, who launched his own party - Makkal Needhi Maiam, Rajinikanth said the current dispensation is afraid of critics, who are galvanising the people against them.

"I didn't expect the present political parties to welcome me. But why are you discouraging me and others?"

Commenting on MGR, the founder of AIADMK, Rajinikanth said the party has deviated away from his principles.

"MGR provided the best governance model. Never even in thousand years, a person like MGR would be born. If I get elected to power, I would attempt to replicate MGR's model of governance in the state," Rajinikanth said.

On being asked about what his much-touted 'spiritual politics' would be, Rajinikanth denied linking it to religion. "The spiritual politics will be politics void of caste and creed discrimination. It will be non-corrupt politics, straight politics and pro-people politics," he claimed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2018 09:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).