Suresh Gopi Indicates Possible Departure from Modi Cabinet, Stirring Political Speculation
Reports suggest that Suresh Gopi, who won the Thrissur LS seat in Kerala, has communicated to the BJP leadership his prior commitments to the film industry, indicating that he cannot assume a ministerial role for the next two years.
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/10th June 2024
Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who was recently sworn in as a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, hinted at a potential exit from the Cabinet mere days after assuming office.
Gopi, who made history by clinching victory from the Thrissur constituency in Kerala during the 2024 parliamentary elections, marked a significant milestone as the first Lok Sabha MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. His prominence surged during the electoral campaign, where he became synonymous with the “Modiyude Guarantee” (Modi’s Guarantee) pledge to Kerala.
Following his electoral triumph, Gopi was inducted into the union council of ministers under Prime Minister Modi’s third consecutive term. The 65-year-old secured victory in Thrissur by defeating advocate and Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate VS Sunilkumar by a margin of 74,686 votes.
Prime Minister Modi himself showcased support for Gopi’s candidacy, holding a notable poll roadshow in Thrissur in December the previous year. Additionally, Modi attended the wedding of Gopi’s daughter at the Guruvayoor Srikrishna Temple, further bolstering their association.
Upon learning of his electoral success on June 4, Gopi expressed his elation in an interview with ANI, stating, “I am in totally an ecstatic mood. What was very impossible became gloriously possible…it was not a 62-day campaign process, it was an emotional carriage for the past 7 years…I work for Kerala as a whole. My first pick will be to have AIIMS…”
However, amid this celebratory atmosphere, Gopi’s recent remarks allude to a potential change in his political trajectory, raising eyebrows within the BJP and Kerala’s political landscape alike.
Alongside Gopi’s induction into the Cabinet, senior BJP leader George Kurian was also appointed as a Minister of State during the recent ministerial expansion. These developments have sparked speculation regarding the BJP’s strategic moves and the future dynamics of Kerala politics.
The potential departure of Gopi from the Modi Cabinet could signal various shifts, including adjustments in the BJP’s Kerala strategy and implications for the state’s political alignment. With Gopi’s electoral triumph serving as a notable milestone for the BJP’s presence in Kerala, his next steps carry significant weight for both the party and the broader political landscape.
As Gopi navigates this juncture in his political career, observers await further developments that could shape the trajectory of Kerala’s political future and the BJP’s standing within the state.
