Rajkot BJP MP Parshottam Rupala Remarks Ignite Controversy

The recent Lok Sabha election has particularly challenged Rajkot BJP MP Parshottam Rupala. His controversial comments about the Kshatriya community sparked significant agitation in Gujarat, leading to unexpected political repercussions.

Although the Gujarat BJP managed to avoid major losses, sources reported that the party faced setbacks in neighboring states.

Speculation of Post-Polls on MP Parshottam Rupala:

Following the elections, there was widespread speculation that Rupala was excluded from the Modi team-III due to his inflammatory remarks.

Rupala, a member of the influential Patidar community, was seen as a liability. To mitigate potential backlash from the Patidar community in Gujarat, Porbandar party MP Mansukh Mandaviya, also from the Patidar community, was retained in a prominent role.

Changes in Representation:

The representation of Gujarat MPs in the Modi government has decreased to six, one less than in the second term.

Rupala, a three-term Rajya Sabha member, previously served as the Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Panchayati Raj from 2016 to 2021 and later as the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy from July 2021.

Broader Impact on the Party:

The Kshatriya community’s movement against Rupala extended beyond Gujarat, causing dissatisfaction in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. This dissatisfaction contributed to unexpected defeats for the BJP in several constituencies within these states.

A state BJP leader noted, “Patidar votes are decisive in Gujarat, crucial as they are in more than 10 of the state’s 26 seats. Perhaps that’s why the BJP did not replace Rupala midway through the election campaign. Some BJP leaders felt Patidar votes would be lost if the BJP replaced Rupala.”

Strategic Adjustments by MP Parshottam Rupala:

To address the fallout from Rupala’s exclusion and alleviate the Kshatriya community, the BJP dropped Rupala and Devu Singh Chauhan from Team Modi 3.0.

Sources indicate that Chauhan, who belongs to the OBC Kshatriya community, may be given a more prominent position within the Gujarat BJP organization.

His appointment could potentially address the community’s resentment and stabilize the party in the region.

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