Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, responsible for the BJP’s entry into Kerala this Lok Sabha elections, on Monday denied rumours that he is seeking to resign from the newly formed Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet. He is one of the two leaders in the saffron party from the southern state to be part of the Council of Ministers, which took oath the day before.
Gopi dismissed the media reports on his desire to exit the government as “grossly incorrect” and, in a Facebook post, said it is a matter of pride for him to be in the council of ministers led by Modi and to represent the people of Kerala.
pic.twitter.com/Pacm1h9DO3— Suressh Gopi (@TheSureshGopi) June 10, 2024
“A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect. It is a matter of pride for me to be in the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government and to represent the people of Kerala,” Gopi said in the post on social media.
Attaching his photo with Modi on his FB page, Gopi said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala.”
His statement came after his remarks to the media late on Sunday (June 9), when he expressed hope that he will soon be relieved of his post as he wants to do more films. This sparked speculation about his continued role in the central government.
Earlier, the Kerala Congress had posted a news channel video on X containing Gopi’s remarks. When reporters asked if he chose the post of minister of state (MoS) considering his film commitments, he had said: “Nothing was demanded. I had told (them) that I don’t want this. I feel that I will be relieved without delay.”
Asked if this posed a problem for the people of Thrissur who elected him, he replied: “There is no problem for them. They know very well. As an MP for the people of Thrissur, I will perform very well. I desperately want to do films.”
During his chat with two Malayalam news channels on the night of June 9, he also expressed his desire to establish an AIIMS in Kerala and collaborate with other ministers in fulfilling his duties as an MP.
Reacting to reports suggesting that Gopi, the lone BJP MP from Kerala, was expressing displeasure over not being given a cabinet or MoS (independent) charge, state BJP chief Surendran said it is fake news.
The state Congress unit slammed Gopi and the BJP over the development. “@BJP4India @narendramodi why this mockery of voters? Why don’t you tell your MP to first decide what he wants to do in life and most importantly stop this show in front of the media after taking oath in the name of God and the constitution,” it said in a post on X.
(With PTI inputs)
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