Rajinikanth Arrives in Vijayawada Ahead of Chandrababu Naidu's Swearing-in Ceremony; Fans Chant 'Thalaivaa'

Veteran actor Rajinikanth was clicked arriving in Vijayawada ahead of swearing-in ceremony of Andhra Pradesh CM-designate N Chandrababu Naidu. On Tuesday evening, Rajinikanth was photographed stepping out of Vijayawada airport amid high security. Fans began chanting “Thalaivaa” as soon as Rajinikanth came out of the airport.

The actor was accompanied by his wife Latha Rajinikanth. The ceremony promises to be a star-studded affair with many South stars like Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Mahesh Babu and Allu Arjun expected to attend the event. Jr NTR, who is the nephew of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, has also been extended an invitation, according to media reports.

Apart from celebs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Ministers J P Nadda and Bandi Sanjay Kumar as well as several other political leaders are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Meanwhile, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan is likely to be the deputy to N Chandrababu Naidu, who will take oath as Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister on Wednesday, according to sources. People aware of negotiations in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for ministerial posts said on Tuesday that Kalyan had expressed his interest in taking up the deputy CM post, and that Naidu had assured him of a “key role” in his cabinet. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Naidu is scheduled to take oath at 11.27 am at Kesarapalli IT Park near Gannavaram Airport on the outskirts of Vijayawada on Wednesday.

Earlier, Pawan Kalyan received a grand welcome as he arrived at Chiranjeevi’s place in Hyderabad after his historic political win at Pithapuram. The newly-elected MLA also got emotional during the celebration and touched Chiranjeevi’s feet as a mark of respect. Chiranjeevi hugged him and garlanded him to congratulate the actor-politician on the electoral victory.