Caste dynamics are a crucial factor in India s politics, influencing alliances and strategies. Rajya Sabha member Parshottam Rupala recently faced controversy over his comments on Kshatriyas, but the BJP has supported him. Caste-based movements, like Patel quota agitations and Dalit protests, have reshaped Gujarat s political landscape. Despite Kshatriya protests against Rupala, the BJP has stood by him, highlighting its focus on non-Kshatriya votes. The party s ability to navigate caste dynamics remains central to its electoral strategy in Gujarat.
At the centre of the storm is the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, who made a controversial remark on the Kshatriya community. At an event held in March, a member of the Rajya Sabha Rupala stated that the kings had bowed in front of the British and married off their daughters to the British while they were trying to oppress India.
BJP state president CR Patil s ambitious target was not beyond the realm of reality, given his penchant for micromanagement and the hugely successful strategy of page committees and page presidents. What however was not factored in was the unforeseen agitation of the Kshatriyas that now seems to have engulfed the entire state, apart from spilling over to other states as well.
The community flagged off dharma raths, which will traverse all the 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state and appeal to people to vote for Congress, the organisers said.
While Kalpesh Rank, Saurashtra president of Sardar Patel Group (SPG), an influential group of Patidar youths, expressed SPG s absolute support for Rupala, a meeting of the people from Saurashtra was also organised in Surat by the Patidars in his support.