Amid ongoing protests against Union Minister and BJP's Rajkot Lok Sabha candidate Parshottam Rupala, Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil convened a meeting with leaders of the Kshatriya community on Thursday.
The gathering aimed to address concerns raised by the Kshatriya leaders amidst the backdrop of protests targeting Rupala. Paatil emphasised the unwavering support of the Kshatriya community in south Gujarat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
Attended by community leaders from various regions within the Navsari Lok Sabha constituency, where Paatil currently serves as the MP, the meeting sought to address the discontent sparked by recent remarks made by Rupala.
In his address to the media, Paatil acknowledged the natural sense of offence felt by the Rajputs in response to Rupala's comments. He emphasised that while there might be discontent towards Rupala, the community's support for PM Modi remains steadfast due to his significant contributions to the nation and Gujarat.
Paatil urged the Kshatriya community to extend their unwavering support to all BJP candidates, while also appealing for forgiveness towards Rupala, citing the values of bravery and forgiveness inherent in the Kshatriya tradition.
Shailendrasinh, a Rajput leader from Chikhli taluka of Navsari district, reiterated the community's historical allegiance to the BJP and Paatil. However, he clarified that their protest was specifically directed towards Rupala's comments and not against the BJP government as a whole.
The controversy surrounding Rupala stems from his remarks at a recent rally, where he made controversial statements regarding the historical collaboration of Rajput rulers with foreign invaders.
The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat, scheduled for May 7, have intensified political dynamics, with community sentiments influencing the electoral landscape.
Paatil's meeting with Kshatriya leaders follows announcements from the 'Rajput Coordination Committee' to organise mega gatherings ahead of the polls to express discontent over Rupala's candidature, reflecting the evolving political landscape in the state.
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