Ending uncertainty, Suresh Gopi signals he will continue as Minister in Modi 3.0 government

BJP leader, actor and Union Minister-appointed MP Suresh Gopi confirmed that he will continue in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet, ending two days of political uncertainty that had left his party on edge.

Mr. Gopi has seemingly flipped on his earlier claim that the national leadership of the BJP would relieve him of ministerial responsibility and allow the actor-turned-politician to fulfill his film commitments.

On the afternoon of June 10, Mr. Gopi attempted to stop the political rumor mill from overreaching by broadcasting his intentions on X (formerly Twitter).

Mr. Gopi said: “Several media platforms are spreading false news that I will resign from the Cabinet of Modi Government. This is extremely wrong. Under the leadership of Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala.”

Union Minister Suresh Gopi speaks to media on June 11 | Video Credit: PTI

Mr Gopi’s statement came hours after senior BJP leaders in Kerala, including PK Krishnadas and MT Ramesh, summoned him in New Delhi, ostensibly to persuade him to remain in the Modi Cabinet to avoid criticism at home.

Mr. Gopi’s final acceptance of the ministerial post sparked a stir in what appeared to be the final acts of political theater that had captured public attention for two consecutive days.

Rumors are going into overdrive

Shortly after being sworn in on June 9, Mr. Gopi set the political rumor mill into overdrive by telling television reporters that he hoped the BJP national leadership would unseat him. “I have to make movies at all costs,” he said.

Mr. Gopi denied reports that he was disappointed by the BJP’s failure to appoint him a Cabinet post or the post of a Union Minister of State with independent responsibility. “I have not made any demands. I will continue to work for my constituents in Trissur,” he added.

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On June 10, a delegation of BJP leaders from Kerala set out for the hotel where Mr. Gopi was staying with his family in the national capital. They hoped to persuade Mr. Gopi to accept the post, prevent the BJP from losing credibility and help the party continue its winning streak in Kerala.

Earlier, the Congress had lampooned Mr. Gopi on social media for his alleged capriciousness.

The Congress party in Kerala posted a bit harshly on X: “Actor and BJP MP Suresh Gopi was sworn in as MoS yesterday and his portfolios are yet to be appointed. He wants to resign today because he wants to do films! He is sure that the leadership will reassure him soon. Why this mockery of voters? Why don’t you first tell your MP to decide what he wants to do in life and most importantly, stop this spectacle in front of the media after taking oath in the name of God and the Constitution?”

Mr. Gopi defied the political pundits and won the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, breaking new ground of huge political significance for the BJP in South India.

Mr. Modi had boosted Mr. Gopi’s campaign by organizing high-decibel roadshows and attending repeated demonstrations in Thrissur. He also attended Mr. Gopi’s daughter’s wedding at the iconic Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur, suggesting a personal bond between him and the actor.

The curtains had not yet come down on the political theater that began on June 9 in Thiruvananthapuram on swearing-in day.

Mr. Gopi kept the public in suspense for most of the day. A contingent of television cameras and news crews camped outside his home in the Kerala capital, waiting to see whether he would fly to New Delhi to take the ministerial oath.

Finally, Mr. Gopi left for the airport amid reports that Mr. Modi had personally summoned him. It can be argued that Mr. Gopi’s on-screen persona played a significant role in taking him from stardom to political power.

Their punchlines and hyper-masculine roles as extraordinary heroes fighting injustice in Malayalam films still resonate strongly among the masses and on social media.

The BJP has significantly increased its vote share in Kerala in the Lok 2024 Sabha polls. He dominated 11 segments of the Parliament, surprising the ruling Left Front and the Opposition. It also brought significant progress to the Christian community of Kerala, especially in Thrissur.