BJP's Kerala Story Hero Suresh Gopi Gets Petroleum, Tourism Ministries After Flip-Flop Over Joining Modi 3.0 Cabinet

Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi was allocated portfolios in the Modi cabinet after he refuted reports that he wants to quit the NDA government as a MoS. He had previously expressed his desire to return to film projects.

Union Minister and actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi was on Monday appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Tourism. This comes after he firmly denied suggesting his resignation from the Narendra Modi-led government, labelling the claim as "grossly incorrect" in a post on Monday. 

"Some 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 asserted in his post. He attached a photo with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring his commitment to Kerala's development and prosperity under Modi's leadership.

Suresh Gopi was among the 72 members of the Council of Ministers who were sworn-in at a gala ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

He contested the Lok Sabha election from the Thrissur constituency in Kerala and emerged victorious, defeating his nearest rival and Communist Party of India candidate Sunil Kumar by 74,686 votes. 

'I Don't Want This': Suresh Gopi's Response To NDA Cabinet Addition Draws Flak From Congress

The speculation arose following Gopi's comments to the media on Sunday night, where he expressed a desire to return to his film projects. "Nothing was demanded. I had told (them) that I don't want this. I feel that I will be relieved without delay," Gopi said, sparking rumours about his intentions to step down, as quoted by news agency PTI.

However, he reassured that his film commitments would not interfere with his responsibilities as an MP. "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," he added, as per PTI.

During an interaction with two Malayalam news channels, Gopi voiced his ambition to establish an AIIMS in Kerala and to work collaboratively with other ministers to fulfil his duties.

Reacting to the controversy, BJP state chief K. Surendran dismissed reports of Gopi's dissatisfaction over not receiving a Cabinet or MoS (independent) charge as "fake news", PTI reported 

The Congress's Kerala unit was quick to criticise Gopi and the BJP. In a post on 'X' (formerly Twitter), they questioned the credibility of Gopi's commitment.

"@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," the Kerala Congress unit commented.