Ever since Malayalam actor Mohanlal met Prime Minister Modi, speculations have been rife about him joining the BJP. Reports claimed the RSS wanted Mohanlal to contest Lok Sabha polls from Thiruvananthapuram on a BJP ticket. Putting an end to speculations, Mohanlal said he wasn't aware of himself contesting the polls and refused to comment further on the matter.
Talking to Manorama Online, Mohanlal said: “The meeting with Prime Minister Modi was scheduled a long time ago. It was to discuss about an organisation that had a great vision.”
The actor had recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to appear at an event held by the former's charity foundation in Wayanad, which had set tongues wagging. After the meeting, Mohanlal tweeted that PM Modi assured all possible assistance for Kerala, which is currently reeling under destruction caused by floods. "He has assured all support and offered to participate in the Global Malayalee Round table that can formulate futuristic solutions for a New Kerala. Hon. PMO India has also appreciated our vision to set up a Cancer Care Centre to cater to the needs of the under-privileged," Mohanlal tweeted.
Kerala BJP president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, on Tuesday, told THE WEEK that the state unit was not aware of any such move. “There has been no official communication on the matter yet. I also heard the rumour,” he said.
But, he added that they would be thrilled if Mohanlal joins the party. “We will be very happy if he agrees to join us. We garnered 2,80,000 votes in Thiruvananthapuram in the last Lok Sabha polls. If Mohanlal stands as BJP candidate, it will be a sure seat for us,” he said.
Mohanlal also said that he had met other prime ministers also earlier, and even met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also a couple of times. “Such speculations keep coming. I am just doing my job now,” he said.
-with inputs from Unni K. Varrier
