‘Karate’ R Thiyagarajan meeting with Rajini sparks defection rumours

Thiyagarajan who admitted to discussing politics with the actor, has dared his party chiefs to question his meeting with the superstar. He has challenged leaders, mainly from the Congress, criticising him from behind the screens for hobnobbing with the actor. 

“My party functionaries told me that Thirunavukkarasar met and discussed politics with Sasikala privately for 30 minutes during Natarajan’s funeral. If he can meet Sasikala and if DMK working president MK Stalin can host Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao who is our (Congress) rival there, why can’t I meet my “elder brother Rajinikanth?” he said.

“If they are disturbed by my meeting the superstar, why has no leader questioned me so far?

My leader (Chidambaram) is aware of my meetings with Rajinikanth,” the belligerent south Chennai district Congress president remarked, suggesting that he had met Rajinikanth with the knowledge of his factional boss P Chidambaram, the former finance minister. 

Asked if he was joining Rajinikanth’s party, Thiyagarajan said, “I am one of the best performing presidents of Tamil Nadu Congress. I continue to do my job. My name was in contention even during the last TNCC president election. If there is a chance of appointing a new TNCC president, I will be one of the strong contenders. This being the situation, why should I leave the party?”