Rajkot

In a big boost to the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, as many as 45 erstwhile royal families have extended their support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The members of the erstwhile royal families gathered in Rajkot. 15-16 erstwhile royal family members were present, while the others extended their letter of support for PM Modi.

Thakor Saheb of Rajkot Mandhata, Sinhji Jadeja, said that the members have gathered to discuss about the nation's interest.

Watch | Thakor Saheb of Rajkot Mandhata Sinhji Jadeja says, "Today the former rulers of Saurashtra-Kutch and Gujarat have gathered here to ponder over the interest of the nation at large, how the nation can be taken over the next level of development and progress and how in the… pic.twitter.com/BG2NjZTeB0

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) May 2, 2024

His statement comes amid ongoing protests by Kshatriyas or Rajputs in Gujarat against Union Minister Parshottam Rupala's controversial remarks against them.

On March 22, during an election campaign speech in Rajkot in Gujarat, Union Minister and Rajkot BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala triggered controversy when he praised the Dalits at the expense of the Kshatriyas or Rajputs.

Commenting on British rule, Rupala said, "Even kings and royals bowed down to the British, started family bonds with them, broke bread with them, and even married their daughters to them but this Rukhi Samaj (a Dalit community) did not budge. I salute them for their fortitude and strength. It is this strength that has kept Sanatana Dharma alive...Jai Bhim!" His reference to roti-beti vyavahar (breaking bread and entering into marital relations) caused anger that neither he nor the party anticipated in a State where the BJP enjoys near-complete dominance.

Speaking to ANI, Sinhji Jadeja said, "Today the ex-rulers of Saurashtra, Kachchh and Gujarat have gathered here to ponder over the nation's interest at large, and how India in the international arena can keep its head held high."

He appreciated the development in the country in the last 10 years and hailed PM Modi as a 'global leader'.

"He is now a global leader, and it is without doubt that we give our fullest support to PM Modi," he added.

Notably, Gujarat, the home state of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is a citadel of the BJP with the party winning all 26 seats in the last two general elections.

The state will vote for 25 out of 26 parliamentary seats in the Lok Sabha elections on May 7.

ALSO READ: Hospital for poor is top priority of Pune's 77-year activist Ashraf Mulla

On the remaining constituency of Surat, BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected 'unopposed' after the nomination papers of the Congress party's candidate Nilesh Kumbhani were rejected, as his three proposers claimed in an affidavit to the district election officer they had not signed his nomination form.