Dismissing rumours that Raju Mahalingam had been expelled from the Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM), VM Sudhakar, Administrator of RMM on Thursday tweeted saying that this was untrue.
In February this year, Raju Mahalingam, a former creative head of Lyca Productions, was appointed Secretary of RMM, Rajinikanth’s political outfit. Merely three days after Rajinikanth's announcement on his political plunge, Raju Mahalingam stepped down from his post at Lyca, and joined the party.
But, earlier on Thursday, Savukku Shankar, an investigative journalist from Chennai, posted on his Twitter handle that Rajinikanth had expelled Raju Mahalingam. He alleged that Rajini confronted Raju Mahalingam of misappropriating Mandram funds.
Sources : Rajinikanth, expels Raju Mahalingam from his Mandram. Instructs his office bearers not to have any truck with Raju. Rajini confronts Raju Mahalingam for having misappropriated Mandram funds & says, he should never meet Rajini, ever.
— Savukku_Shankar (@savukku) July 12, 2018
VM Sudhakar later tweeted from his official handle dispelling these allegations.
சமூக வலைத்தளங்களில் ரஜினி மக்கள் மன்றத்திலிருந்து திரு . ராஜு மஹாலிங்கம் அவர்களை நீக்கி விட்டதாக செய்தி பரவிவருகிறது , இந்த செய்தி உண்மைக்கு புறம்பானதால் யாரும் நம்பவேண்டாம் @rmmoffice @RIAZtheboss
— Sudhakar (@SudhakarVM) July 12, 2018
Raju Mahalingam was the creative head of Lyca Productions, which is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah and was associated with the company since its inception in 2014.
Earlier this year, speaking to India Today Raju Mahalingam said, "Firstly, I'm a fan of Rajinikanth sir since my childhood. Also, during the production of 2.0, I've watched him closely for three years. He is known for his simplicity, honesty and straightforwardness. I think that is the need of the hour for the political scenario that is prevailing in Tamil Nadu at present. So, when Rajini sir announced his decision to form a political party, I decided to join his political journey.”
Rajinikanth, who announced his political entry in January this year, is yet to launch his party officially. Rajini Makkal Mandram now serves as a precursor to his political party, with members across the state. A day after he made his decision public, Rajini also launched an app, Rajini Mandram, to enable his fans become members of his outfit.
(Content provided by Digital Native)