CHENNAI: Veteran character artiste and former MLA from Saidapet constituency, Radha Ravi on Monday rejoined the main opposition party AIADMK contrary to the expectations that he would be joining the Congress soon.
Just a couple of days ago, Ravi called on AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi and there were reports that the actor had said that he would be taking a decision on joining the Congress soon.
However, when asked what prompted him to shift his liking for Congress to AIADMK, the actor said he had never said that he would be joining the Congress.
Instead, he met Rahul Gandhi to invite him for the Nadigar Sangam’s diamond jubilee and to bring to his notice the stoppage of financial assistance to film actors of yesteryears who were in the grip of poverty.
Ravi called on AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence and got himself enrolled in the party again. Asked aboutJayalalithaa’s reaction, Ravi said “Amma was happy I have returned to the party-fold again and asked me to work for the victory of the party in the coming elections”.
Questioned about his shifting of loyalties very often, Ravi dismissed it saying that the only party where he was a registered member was the AIADMK and nothing else.
On March 16, 2009, Ravi called on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at his residence along with his family members and indicated that he would be joining the DMK soon.
Ravi said that he had been sidelined by AIADMK high command for quite a long time though he had very good rapport with the party cadre.
The actor said he had sent as many as 25 letters to the AIADMK chief but without any response.
AIADMK sources said the actor had fallen out of the grace of the party leader a couple of years ago.
Ravi, who was the sitting MLA from Saidapet, was not given party ticket to contest again from the constituency during the 2006 Assembly elections.
Ravi was elected as MLA from Saidapet constituency in 2001 and held the post till 2006.