BJP will comfortably win all seats in Gujarat, says Parshottam Rupala
Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Rajkot for the Lok Sabha elections, speaks to Nivedita Mookerji in Rajkot about his controversial comments on the former Maharajas and its impact on Kshatriyas and Rajputs in the Saurashtra region. Edited excerpts:
Voters in Rajkot are angry about your recent comment. Doesn’t that affect the election results?
Meet the voters and ask yourself. It is not true that voters would not choose the BJP. Only a ground zero check will reveal the truth.
Do you regret?
It wasn’t good (what I said). I have already publicly apologized for that…
So you don’t think the vote shows the disappointment among the Kshatriyas?
I believe people will vote for the BJP, there is no doubt about that.
Do you think your party will win all 26 seats in Gujarat?
Very comfortable. It is the opposition that has created a negative environment (mahol bana diya hai) after the comment.
What are the expectations of the voters here that the BJP will meet?
Voters look at issues of national importance. So I would say this concerns the security of the nation, the development of the country and confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Do you agree that the 2024 elections will be fought on Brand Modi?
Definitely yes.
What is your personal ambition now?
I want to work for the public and do what Modiji wants.
What are the portfolios you would like to have if you win and become minister?
That’s not even a topic of discussion (woh vishay hi nahi hai).
First print: May 4, 2024 | 12:32 pm IST