Amidst Kshatriya protests, Union Minister Rupala files nomination for Rajkot Lok Sabha seat

His appeal also came hours after Kshatriya leaders met with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, BJP president C R Paatil, and state Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi in Gandhinagar. However, the meeting remained inclusive as the Kshtriyas stuck to their demand that Rupala’s election ticket be cancelled.

Addressing a public meeting while on his way to the office of Rajkot district collector to file his nomination papers, Rupala on Tuesday acknowledged Kesaridevsinh Jhala, the scion of the erstwhile princely state of Wankaner, Satyajit Khachar of the former princely state of Jasdan, ex-BJP MLA Jayrajsinh Jadeja, the BJP’s Gujarat unit vice-president Mahendrasinh Sarvaiya, and Rajkot Deputy Mayor Narendrasinh Jadeja among others.

“When so many leaders of Kshatriya are seated on the dais to support us, I thank them heartily and congratulate them. I am also of the view of requesting the entire Kshatriya community with humility that we need your support too. In the interest of the country and the nation, I humbly request you to show a big heart and support the Bharatiya Janata Party,” said the veteran politician, who served as the president of BJP’s Gujarat unit.

Parshottam Rupala leads a roadshow on his way to filing his nomination papers as BJP candidate for Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, in Rajkot on Tuesday. (Express photo)

The 69-year-old politician is contesting his maiden Lok Sabha election.

Multiple apologies

Kshatriyas have been up in arms against Rupala for his remarks at an event on March 22 that due to persecution kings bowed down to foreign rulers, broke bread with them and married their daughters to them.

Soon after a video clip of his remarks at the Dalit event went viral, Rupala, who holds the portfolios of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying in the outgoing Narendra Modi government, released a video statement. Days later, he also publicly apologised at a meeting of Kshatriyas hosted by Jayrajsinh in Gondal taluka of Rajkot, saying he was sad that such words slipped out his tongue and the BJP had to suffer for his deeds.

Gujarat BJP chief C R Paatil has also appealed to the Kshatriya community more than once to forgive Rupala. However, the community has remained adamant on its demand of withdrawing Rupala from the poll fray and has disrupted the BJP’s election meetings in districts like Rajkot, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Morbi etc.

‘100 per cent turnout’

The protests notwithstanding, Rupala went ahead and filed his nomination papers as the BJP candidate for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, which is dominated by voters of the Patidar community to which the Union Minister belongs.

Addressing the public meeting in Bahumali Bhavan Chowk, Rupala talked about the BJP’s Lok Sabha election 2024 manifesto which promises to provide free health insurance to the elderly above 70 years of age and the Uniform Civil Code among others. “When the head of the government is trying to extend 100 per cent benefits of schemes to citizens, why do we, the citizens, not strive for 100 per cent turnout?… From our votes our Prime Minister draws power so, let’s try for 100 per cent polling and give the PM a government with prachand bahumat (massive majority) so that he can project this country’s government firmly on the world stage,” said Rupala.

Rupani also targeted the Congress over alleged corruption during its reign as well as over secularism, poverty, etc. “Opportunists have gathered under the banner of INDIA. But Congress has no rights to seek votes as it has done politics in the name of secularism and has indulged in appeasement,” said Rupani.

Rajkot and the 25 other Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will vote on May 7, and results will be announced on June 4.