Rupala loses shine

Rajkot: Questions are raised not just by media but also by the people of Rajkot regarding absence of BJP leader Parshottam Rupala’s active role in Rajkot in backdrop of TRP game zone fire incident in which over 27 innocent persons burned to ashes.

Rupala who contested Lok Sabha election on Rajkot seat recently – result of which is awaited – posted couple of tweets and one Facebook post after TRP game zone tragedy. He also gave a brief TV byte to news channels during his visit to BJP office. In his tweets and facebook post, Rupala stated he had discussed the issue with district collector. Rupala didn’t pay site visit to the spot of tragedy, like Chief Minister and MoS Home. It is learnt that he was busy doing election work in other States inclduding West Bengal.

Rupala today visited the Civil Hospital in the city. While addressing the media he said, “I came here to take stock of the situation regarding the DNA reports. I had discussions with the responsible officer, and according to that information, 17 DNA reports have come back. Twenty-seven bodies were found, of which the DNA of 17 bodies have matched, and the results of 10 are still pending.”

Answering the question about his physical presence after 54 hours of incident, Rupala said, “Since 8 am on the second day, I have been here. It’s true that I did not go to the accident site because I believed that my presence might hinder the process. However, I was here and in constant touch with the officers and the administration.”

BJP had refrained from fielding Rupala for campaign outside Rajkot in Lok Sabha election in Gujarat, due to his controversial ‘Raja Maharaja Roti Beti’ remark for which party had to face Kshatriya community agitation in various parts of Gujarat and suffer. In Rajkot fire tragedy incident, the locals have increasingly felt the absence of Rupala. Rupala hails from Amreli. In Gujarat BJP’s undeclared caste quota system, Rajkot seat is regularly allocated to Kadva Patel candidates. Rupala, a Kadva Patel was earlier a Rajya Sabha member for multiple terms. DeshGujarat