Rahul Kanal, Aaditya Thackeray’s Close Aide Set To Join Shinde-led Sena Today

In a big blow to Aaditya Thackeray, his close aide, Rahul Kanal is set to join the CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena camp on Saturday.

Kanal has been the UBT Sena's face in Bandra and is considered to be close to Aaditya since Yuva Sena was formed over 10 years ago.

Confirming his switch, Rahul told reporters, "I am going to join the Shinde group along with several fellow workers tomorrow. The joining ceremony is scheduled at 12 noon tomorrow (July 1) in the presence of CM Eknath Shinde."

"There is a thing called self-respect...tomorrow more than 1000 workers will join the Shinde group along with me," he told the media.

Interestingly, Kanal's exit comes on a day when Aditya Thackeray plans to lead a maha-morcha in south Mumbai to protest against the corruption in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Who is Rahul Kanal?

• Rahul Kanal is a restaurateur and a known name among Bollywood circles.
• He owns Bandra's Bhaijaanz restaurant which was named after Salman Khan.
• Rahul Kanal runs NGO I Love Mumbai.
• Appointed as a Trusteeship of the Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Kanal was tipped to be given a Sena (UBT) ticket for a coveted Assembly constituency in the western suburbs.
• 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 the rads under the radar of the income tax department and his residence was searched last year.
• "It does not matter how many are against you. Those who are with you are wonderful," Rahul Kanal wished Aaditya Thackeray on his birthday.