In what is believed to be a huge blow to the Uddhav faction of the Shiv Sena ahead of the BMC election in Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray’s close aide Rahul Kanal has decided to jump ship and join the Shinde faction. On Saturday, Rahul Kanam and many other Sena workers will join the Shinde group from the Uddhav group. The Uddhav faction downplayed Rahul Kanal’s exit as Sanjay Raut said he did not know how Rahul Kanam came to the party and why his exit was getting so much importance.
Who is Rahul Kanal? What happened between Kanal and Aaditya?
A popular face in Bandra, Rahul Kanal is a restaurateur and a known name among Bollywood circles.
Rahul owns Bandra’s Bhaijaanz restaurant which was named after Salman Khan.
Rahul Kanal runs NGO I Love Mumbai. He was a trustee of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
Rahul Kanal’s association with Sena (undivided) started with Yuva Sena and for the past 10 years, he was with Yuva Sena led by Aaditya Thackeray.
Reports said Rahul Kanal was also preparing to contest the Assembly election from Bandra West.
The developments started a few days ago when Rahul Kanal left the WhatsApp group of the Yuva Sena core committee. Yuva Sena then suspended all office bearers from Bandra West including Kanal.
Rahul Kanal came on the radar of the income tax department and his residence was searched last year.