BJP leader and Kerala actor Suresh Gopi has bee inducted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet as a Minister of State.
Suresh Gopi, MP, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, actor and Union Minister of State-designate, appears to have placed the party on tenterhooks by signals that he was not sure about accepting the Constitutional responsibility given his film commitments.
Most of the cliff-hanger action regarding Mr. Gopi’s continuation in Prime Minister Modi’s Cabinet unfolded in New Delhi.
Almost immediately after swearing-in on June 9th this year, Mr. Gopi threw political rumour mills into overdrive among television journalists when he expressed hope that BJP leadership will unburden him with his position. “I have to do cinema at all costs”, he said.
Mr. Gopi dismissed reports that he felt let down by the BJP’s failure to assign him a Cabinet post or the office of a Union Minister of State with independent charge.
“I never asked for anything; I shall continue my duties towards my people in Thrissur”, he added.
On June 10th P.K. Krishnadas and M.T Ramesh together with other leaders from Kerala BJP rushed to his hotel where they met Suresh Gopi and his family who had come from their home state for this eventful day in New Delhi.
They hoped to convince Mr. Gopi to accept the post, prevent the BJP from losing face, and help the party maintain its winning streak in Kerala.
The Congress’ main rival campaigns against Mr.Gopi have highlighted so-called wavering nature of an actor turned politician who hails from the southernmost state.
Actor turned political activist took oath as MoS yesterday but portfolio is yet undecided and today hopes leave because movies are calling! He knows very well that soon enough someone will relieve him. @BJP4India@narendramodi why this mockery of voters? Why don’t you tell your MP to… pic.twitter.com/VPKO5Z7G2l
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) June 10, 2024
Mr. Gopi defied all political pundits and was able to establish a significant political milestone for BJP in South India by winning the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.
Mr. Modi added fuel to the fire by holding high-decibel roadshows and making frequent trips to Thrissur in support of Mr. Gopi’s campaign. He even attended Mr. Gopi’s daughter’s wedding at the famous Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur, indicating closer linkage with him during these past months.
The curtains were yet to come down on the political theatre that commenced in Thiruvananthapuram on June 9, the swearing-in day.
Throughout most part of that day, people were left guessing what would happen next as regards Mr. Gopi’s future as a minister. A swarm of television cameras and news crew camped outside his residence in the Kerala capital all waiting for either his departure to New Delhi or noncommittal answers concerning whether he was about to take up ministerial positions there.
Finally, there are reports that Mr Modi has called up Mr Gopi prompting the later (sic) to head out towards airport
The screen personality of Mr. Gopi possibly paved a way for him from fame to politics.
His punchlines and the hyper-masculine roles as larger-than-life heroes fighting against injustice in Malayalam movies are still relevant among people and on social media.
In the Lok 2024 Sabha polls, the BJP’s vote share has gone up significantly in Kerala. It overwhelmed Left front government and opposition by winning 11 Assembly segments. It also made significant gains amongst Christian voters in Kerala especially in Thrissur.
