Chennai, 13 April 2014

Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi met superstar Rajinikanth at his Poes Garden residence here on Sunday evening.

Ruling out any political motive behind this meeting, the Gujarat chief minister maintained that the meet is a courtesy call on the occasion of Tamil new year. Modi will address a public rally here post the meeting which will be his first ever rally here after the elections were announced.

Modi also posted a picture of him with the actor on Twitter:

Addressing reporters after the meet was over, Rajini said, “This is not a political meeting. Narendra Modi is my well-wisher and I am his well-wisher.”

“Modi ji met me earlier as well when I was hospitalised and at that time I invited him over a cup of tea whenever he is in Chennai. We are good friends. This was a courtesy call. When I was unwell, Modi ji wished me well. We wish him well in the elections” the superstar added.

He further said, “This is the reason Modi ji has come today to meet me on the occasion of Tamil new year. We all know he is a strong leader and an able administrator.”

The Gujarat CM responded, “I wish you all a happy Tamil New Year’s Day”.

They hugged each other and the BJP’s PM candidate left soon after.

The meeting assumes significance as Modi visited the actor in the run up to the April 24 Lok Sabha polls, where BJP is contesting in a six-party rainbow alliance.