Chennai: BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi met Superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday evening at the actor’s Poes Garden residence setting off speculation, but the actor termed it as a courtesy call and said no political significance should be attached to it. Modi was in Chennai city for election campaign and said it was a courtesy call. Modi dressed in a south Indian Dhoti immediately tweeted a picture of him with the superstar. Later he told the waiting media: “I met Rajnikanth to wish him on the occasion of Tamil New Year, which falls on Monday (April 14).” Rajinikanth said: “We are good friends, this was a courtesy call. We did not discuss politics and there is nothing political in our meeting. He met me when I was in hospital. I invited him to come here. I am happy he is here. I wished him well for elections.”

Rajnikanth later told mediapersons that when he was unwell, Modi used to make calls every week to inquire about his health. “He is such a strong leader and able administrator. He is my well wisher and I am his well wisher. I wish him all the best,” Rajnikanth remarked. Rajnikanth commands a huge fan following in Tamil Nadu, and his meeting with Modi is bound to have an effect on the electorate, normally divided between the DMK and AIADMK camps. BJP leaders believe, winning Rajnikant’s endorsement ahead of the elections may tilt the scales in favour of Modi and the National Democratic Alliance. BJP leaders had in the past hoped that the party gets some support from the South Indian cine star Rajinikanth, who has a wide appeal not just in Tamil Nadu but in other states as well. The BJP, which has been a marginal player in Tamil Nadu politics, has aligned with several regional parties and is hoping to put up a good show this time.