THRISSUR: BJP’s first-ever MP from Kerala and junior tourism and petroleum minister Suresh Gopi was left firefighting a controversy on Monday surrounding speculation about his alleged remark to some Malayalam channels the previous day that he hoped to be relieved of his responsibilities soon so that he could act in films. “A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the council of ministers of the Modi govt.This is grossly incorrect. It is a matter of pride for me to be in the council of ministers, and to represent the people of Kerala,” he wrote on social media.
Gopi clarified that he was committed to working for the development of Kerala, especially Thrissur. By then, Congress functionaries in Kerala had latched on to the confusion triggered by reports about Gopi’s plan. Posting video clips of the actor-politician, elected to Parliament from Thrissur in a breakthrough for BJP after years of trying, they suggested that his remark reflected a rift in the saffron party.
Some speculated that Gopi and his supporters weren’t satisfied with him being made a junior minister given the enormity of his electoral achievement. They said the BJP rank and file in Thrissur had expected at least a portfolio with independent charge for the 65-year-old, if not a cabinet berth.
Sources said several senior BJP functionaries of Kerala, including P K Krishnadas, K K Gopalakrishnan, M T Ramesh and A N Radhakrishnan, met Gopi on Monday morning to dissuade him from seeking an early exit from the third Modi govt. Gopalakrishnan told TOI over the phone from Delhi in the evening that there was no uncertainty over Gopi continuing to be a part of the ministry. The BJP brass in Thrissur district, too, rushed to quell talk of the actor-politician having second thoughts about being an MoS. They expressed confidence in the BJP bosses’ ability to “resolve the issue”.
Sources close to Gopi said he had been asked to focus on handling the responsibilities he had been given, based on which he would be considered for a potential promotion to cabinet rank after around six months. BJP’s Kerala president K Surendran said the state had adequate representation in the Union cabinet with the inclusion of two ministers of state, former National Commission for Minorities vice-chairperson George Kurian being the other.
Gopi clarified that he was committed to working for the development of Kerala, especially Thrissur. By then, Congress functionaries in Kerala had latched on to the confusion triggered by reports about Gopi’s plan. Posting video clips of the actor-politician, elected to Parliament from Thrissur in a breakthrough for BJP after years of trying, they suggested that his remark reflected a rift in the saffron party.
Some speculated that Gopi and his supporters weren’t satisfied with him being made a junior minister given the enormity of his electoral achievement. They said the BJP rank and file in Thrissur had expected at least a portfolio with independent charge for the 65-year-old, if not a cabinet berth.
Sources said several senior BJP functionaries of Kerala, including P K Krishnadas, K K Gopalakrishnan, M T Ramesh and A N Radhakrishnan, met Gopi on Monday morning to dissuade him from seeking an early exit from the third Modi govt. Gopalakrishnan told TOI over the phone from Delhi in the evening that there was no uncertainty over Gopi continuing to be a part of the ministry. The BJP brass in Thrissur district, too, rushed to quell talk of the actor-politician having second thoughts about being an MoS. They expressed confidence in the BJP bosses’ ability to “resolve the issue”.
Sources close to Gopi said he had been asked to focus on handling the responsibilities he had been given, based on which he would be considered for a potential promotion to cabinet rank after around six months. BJP’s Kerala president K Surendran said the state had adequate representation in the Union cabinet with the inclusion of two ministers of state, former National Commission for Minorities vice-chairperson George Kurian being the other.