Suresh Gopi demand on RSS man: BJP may give in

In the wake of growing demand by the BJP Kerala cadre and insistence by the party’s “star campaigner” and Malyalam superstar Suresh Gopi, the saffron party could re-induct its former general secretary, organisation, and RSS man P.P. Mukundan. BJP Kerala unit chief Kummanam Rajashekharan, it was learnt, called up Mr Mukundan on Sunday morning and asked him to reach Thiruvananthpuram by Monday. A section within the BJP has been opposing Mr Mukundan’s reinduction. Speculation is rife that Mr Mukundan, known for his organisational skill, could be re-inducted in the saffron fold after almost a decade by Monday itself. This newspaper had carried a report on Sunday that Mr Gopi, who has to share dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP top brass, including BJP president Amit Shah, during election campaigning in the state, has put a condition before the BJP that Mr Mukundan should be re-inducted in the saffron fold.

Meanwhile, Mr Gopi also reached New Delhi on Sunday where he met Mr Shah. The PM is likely to address around six campaign rallies in the state after May 1. Sources disclosed, with Mr Mukundan expected to be re-inducted on Monday, Mr Gopi, who discussed campaign related issues with Mr Shah, could launch his campaign trail from Monday from north Kerala. The issue of Mr Mukundan’s reinduction was also taken up by spiritual guru Mata Amritanandamayi with the BJP president, when the latter had met her earlier in April. A section within the BJP was blocking Mr Mukundan’s re-entry when the RSS had already told the BJP leadership to take a final call on the issue months back. Mr Mukundan had to quit his organisational post due to growing infighting in the BJP and latter quit the party in 2006. He, however, still remained popular among the BJP cadre who want him back.

Sources disclosed during a meeting between Mr Shah and Mr Rajashekharan earlier this week at the former’s residence, the issue of Mr Mukundan’s reinduction was taken up. Mr Rajashekharan told the BJP national president that around 30 Assembly constituencies could witness triangular fight between the ruling Congress-led alliance, Left alliance and the BJP-led NDA.

Most of these constituencies fall under the area where Mr Mukundan is not only popular among the cadre as well as the locals but had also extensively worked as the RSS’ vibhag pracharak before he had joined the BJP earlier.

Sources disclosed BJP’s Thiruvananthapuran candidate and former Indian pacer S Sreesanth would be meeting Mr Mukundan once he is reinducted in the saffron fold. Meanwhile, Mr Suresh Gopi will also campaign in the 30 constituencies which will be witnessing “triangular contest.”