Suresh Gopi is emerging as the superstar of the Kerala BJP with his surprise nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the national leadership even by keeping the state leaders in the dark.
Suresh Gopi is emerging as the superstar of the Kerala BJP with his surprise nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the national leadership even by keeping the state leaders in the dark. It is thought that he may soon be elevated as a Union minister in a bid to project him as the new face of the BJP in Kerala.
Last week, Mr Gopi had ensured that former South India organising general secretary of the BJP, Mr P.P. Mukundan, was brought back to the party, showing that the action hero is being seen as a formidable force in the state BJP.
The only person who was in the know about the nomination was state president Kummanam Rajasekharan. The actor had invited Mr Kummanam to his home for dinner on Saturday and the next day he flew to New Delhi to hold talks with BJP president Amit Shah. It is learnt that the central BJP leaders apprised him of their decision to recommend his name to the President for the Rajya Sabha. However, Mr Gopi was asked to keep it a secret until the government informed the President.
Mr Gopi had told reporters in Delhi that they only discussed the poll campaign. A prominent party leader from the state said, “Though we do not wish to rake up a controversy over Suresh Gopi’s new role, it would have been appropriate if we were also kept in the loop. Now it is to be seen whether he would be elevated as a minister.”
However, BJP joint general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh told this newspaper they were playing it safe and that the top leadership was aware of the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Shah about Mr Gopi.
“Enjoy the moment now and there should not be any hurry. We are also hoping to see Suresh Gopi becoming a Central minister soon,” Mr Santhosh said.
