Tamil superstar Rajinikanth created political ripples on Saturday by calling on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s bungalow Matoshree in Bandra East.
MP Arvind Sawant, a close confidant of Uddhav Thackeray, told the Free Press Journal that it was a purely “casual” meeting.
It is learnt that the actor had watched the India-Australia ODI at Wankhede on Friday and on Saturday he took the opportunity of his presence in the metropolis to call on Thackeray. Also present were Thackeray’s wife Rashmi and sons Aaditya and Tejas, who welcomed the star with a bouquet of flowers and a shawl.
Connection between Rajinikanth and Bal Thackeray
In the past, Rajinikanth has called on Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, too. The late Sena leader was an ardent admirer of the legendary actor, who is originally a Maharashtrian with a working knowledge of Marathi.
After the Saturday meeting, Aaditya tweeted that it was an “absolute delight” to receive the actor once again at Matoshree.
Even though it is claimed that it was a courtesy call, sources said the star was carrying a message on behalf of the BJP. Rajnikanth had earlier nurtured political ambitions, but in July 2021 he abandoned his plans and disbanded the Rajni Makkal Mandram which consisted of lakhs of his movie fans. He is also known to be close to certain top leaders of the BJP.
Maharashtra politics at crossroads
Maharashtra politics is currently at the crossroads with all eyes on the Supreme Court, which is expected to deliver its verdict soon on the political developments of last year when Ekanath Shinde and 38 MLAs unfurled the banner of revolt against Thackeray and joined hands with the BJP to form a coalition government in the state.
Leading lawyers appearing for Shinde, Thackeray and other interested parties had extensively presented their case before a Constitution bench of the SC led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud. The questions posed by the CJI during the hearings have resulted in tremendous speculation in political circles about the fate of the Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government. State Congress chief Nana Patole has claimed that the state was heading for mid-term polls.
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