Chennai, April 19: Actor-politician Rajinikanth is all set to hit the election fray if Tamil Nadu goes to assembly polls in the near future. With stability of the ruling Palaniswami government to be determined by the outcome of the 18-seat assembly bypolls, the "superstar" said he is ready to contest in the fresh assembly elections if AIADMK loses majority.

"Whenever it is announced, I will be ready. I will decide after May 23 only," Rajinikanth told reporters. Both the Lok Sabha elections and assembly by-polls were held in Tamil Nadu on April 18. By-polls were held for the 18 out of 22 Assembly seats that were vacant. 71.62% Polling Recorded in Tamil Nadu: EC.

The other four seats -- Sulur, Aravakurichi AC, Thiruparankundram and Ottapidaram -- will go into polls on May 19 and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

In the 235-member Assembly, the AIADMK has 115 members followed by the DMK with 88 and the Congress eight, besides others.

The bypolls in these 22 seats were necessitated due to disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK legislators, along with deaths and defections. The ruling party needs to win at least 3 of these bypolls.

Rajinikanth, who announced his political entry last year, refrained from entering into the polling fray this year. He had, however, confirmed to form  a party ahead of 2021 assembly elections and contest from all 235 seats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2019 05:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).