BJP shocked as Rajini, Maneka greet Jayalalithaa

October 19, 2014 10:34 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 03:54 pm IST - CHENNAI

Rajinikanth with Jayalalithaa.

Rajinikanth with Jayalalithaa.

A very personal and touching greetings by actor Rajinikanth and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Sunday have given a jolt to Tamil Nadu BJP.

In his letter, Mr. Rajinikanth, who is being wooed by the State BJP for several months now, said he was “very glad” to see her, a neighbour, back home in Poes Garden.

Addressing her as “Respected Jayalalithaaji,” he said he was praying for good times for her. “Always wishing you well for good health and peace,” he signed off with a ‘happy Deepavali’ greeting.

AIADMK leaders view it as a gracious, humane gesture and point out that the sympathy to her extended outside the cadre base, including those in high places.

With the BJP trying hard to rope him in to provide an iconic face to it, he could have extended his greetings to her in an effort to ward off any possible hindrance to the release of his movie Lingaa slated for a December release.

Incidentally, Mr. Rajinikanth’s wishes come the day the Narendra Modi-led BJP is all set to form governments in Maharashtra and Haryana. “Mr. Rajinikanth is always keen to protect the business interests of his films and never gets caught in political quagmire ahead of the release of any of his films,” say industry sources.

The letter immediately widened the existing differences between sections of the BJP on whether Mr. Rajinikanth was indeed a good political bet. A senior State leader said his letter was a signal to the party that he may not be willing to jump into the political fray anytime soon. “While we have extended the invitation to him, given the rapport he shared with our national leaders, we always had doubts about him accepting it. The letter makes it clear to us that we cannot be depending on his entry into the BJP to improve our fortunes in Tamil Nadu,” said a State general secretary.

BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan observed that Mr. Rajinikanth’s letter only showcased his warm personality. “We will always welcome him into the BJP. This letter won’t change that feeling,” she said.

Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi said in her letter she was deeply sorry that this (the imprisonment) had happened. Extending her support and sympathy, Ms. Gandhi said if there was anything she could do to make the time less onerous she would be happy to do so.

Recalling how Ms. Jayalalithaa had managed through discipline and courage to overcome the odds against her in the past, Ms. Gandhi said, “We will see you formally back at the helm of administration again.”

“Take care of your health and remember that you have many admirers across the country,” Ms. Gandhi signed off with affection.

It is Ms. Gandhi’s letter that has jolted the BJP more.

“The letters will not in any manner affect the party’s efforts at strengthening the organisation. We will continue to play the role of a serious alternative force,” Ms. Tamilisai asserted.

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