Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 4: Amidst rumours of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s inclination towards Sangh Parivar, a highly placed source said that the RSS was pushing him to contest the 2019Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala on a BJP ticket.
It is learnt that the RSS working on building a "social activist profile" for Mohanlal ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls, as it does not want him to be perceived as a "para-dropped" candidate.
There have been speculations for over a year that the 58-year-old national film award winner would be joining the BJP to contest the 2019 polls but he had not given his nod till now.
"There is a serious discussion in the Sangh about fielding Mohanlal," a senior leader said. The RSS has kept the saffron party's Kerala leadership out of the loop in its exercise to woo one of the most popular actors. BJP state leaders were not aware of the meeting, which was scheduled by the RSS.
The latest round of speculation came as Mohanlal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to "invite" him for a function organised by his foundation in Wayanad.
While there was no discussion about his entry into politics, sources said the meeting was part of an exercise to build a political and social profile of the actor.
The Vishwashanti Foundation, set up by Mohanlal in memory of his father Vishwanathan Nair and mother Shantakumari, is planning to unveil some projects, including a Cancer Institute, in Wayanad and wanted Modi to inaugurate it.
The foundation, which has a senior Sangh functionary in the leadership, is also planning to host a Global Malayali Round Table in Delhi with Modi and other senior leaders in attendance. The foundation is also working along with Sangh-affiliated Seva Bharti in the flood relief and rehabilitation work.
In the next few months, sources said, Mohanlal will be exposed to more such events and the Sangh wants to establish his credentials ahead of the elections. "He is known as an actor but that itself does not help in Kerala. That is why this exercise," leader said.
Sources said the initial plan was to field former Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan as the candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, which has substantial BJP votes, but his transfer to Mizoram as its Governor prompted the need for a backup plan.
“Rajashekharan may not return to active politics. Even if he is chosen, there may not be enough time. So, the Sangh is actively pursuing Mohanlal,” leader said.
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