It is understood that the EC has denied the “hasta mudra symbol” as it resembles the “hand” symbol of the Indian National Congress. ‘Autorickshaw’ is reminiscent of Rajini’s 1995 box office hit ‘Baashha’.
Sources told TOI that Makkal Sevai Katchi is the party’s new name after the applicant obtained a previously registered name, ‘Anaithindhia Makkal Shakthi Kazhagam‘changed through an EC notification issued two and a half months ago. The request for the symbol mentioned the party’s intention to contest the 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu.
While the list of political parties notified by the Commission on March 15, 2019 included ‘Anaithindhia Makkal Shakthi Kazhagam’, based in Ernavoor, Chennai, as entry number 237, a modified list notified by the voting panel on September 30 of 2020, said entry n. 237 ‘Makkal Sevai Katchi’ was being reviewed.
In the Rajini-produced film ‘Baba’, the protagonist is an atheist and, after a chance encounter with Mahavatar Babaji in the Himalayas, puts his own government back in power. In the film, Rajini did the ‘hasta mudra’ – thumb holding the middle and ring fingers, with the index and little fingers raised – as a style statement. The movie failed.
Autorickshaw has a meaning for the influence of the superstar among the masses, as he played the role of a car driver in his biggest box office hit ‘Baashha’, which catapulted him into a different business league in the Indian film industry. The number ‘Naan autokaaran, autokaaran …’, which became an instant hit, is played by Rajini fans all over the world.
(With input from DGovardhan in Chennai)
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