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Faceoff avoided, Rajnikanth
puts off fast by a day

The Tamil film industry was saved from having to face a potentially embarrassing situation when superstar Rajnikant put off his day-long token fast to protest against Karnataka's intransigence on the Cauvery issue by a day.

He will stage his protest in Chennai on Sunday instead of Saturday when the South Indian Film Artistes Association has planned a protest rally in Neyveli in Cuddalore district.

The lignite town hosts some thermal power plants, which supply electricity to Karnataka.

The change in Rajnikanth's plans followed an appeal by actor Vijaykanth, president of the SIFAA. "We all would like to join Rajnikanth during his fast," Vijaykanth said.

The Tamil film industry was slowly getting divided over the issue and Rajnikanth's decision is certain to reduce some of the tensions.

Rajnikanth had earlier requested the SIFAA not to proceed with the Neyveli rally fearing escalation of tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Also, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham president M Karunanidhi had extended support to the rally, but, fearing violence, hinted that he would prefer pro-DMK film personalities to keep away.

Apparently, Karunanidhi wanted Vijaykanth to lead the rally.

A possible explanation for this could be that film director Bharati Raaja, convenor of the 'Tamil Cinema Cauvery Protest Group', and the brain behind the Neyveli rally proposal was believed to be acting at the behest of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Addressing a late evening press conference in Chennai on Thursday with Vijaykanth by his side, Raaja accused Rajnikanth of 'trying to divide the Tamils'.

Considering Rajnikanth's Marathi origins and his upbringing in Karnataka, it was a loaded statement, which had the potential to create tension in the state where Rajnikanth enjoys demi-god status.

Bharati Raaja was immediately whisked away from the venue.

Critics point out in private how Raaja had laid great emphasis on Jayalalithaa's 'motherly care' while talking to newspersons after meeting the chief minister at the state secretariat on Monday.

In contrast, Vijaykanth, who is considered close to Karunanidhi, is yet to get an appointment with the chief minister despite a public appeal on Wednesday on his return after cutting short a foreign tour.

Efforts are now on to take around 7000-odd people from the Tamil film industry to Neyveli on Saturday, under heavy police protection.

Cauvery Water Dispute: The Complete Coverage

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