Gujarat Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 45 erstwhile royal families extend support to PM Modi amid Kshatriya unrest

45 erstwhile royal families extended their support to PM Modi (Image: ANI)

Heirs of about 45 former princely states in Gujarat have reportedly extended their support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in the state. The state goes to polls during the third phase of general elections on May 7.

The members of the erstwhile royal families came together in Rajkot, an ANI report said, adding that while 15-16 of them were present there, the others extended their letter of support for the Prime Minister.

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

"It is undoubtedly a clear picture that the Rajput community and the former rulers have closely been associated with PM Narendra Modi. All the rulers are here because of PM Narendra Modi's vision. His tech-savvy approach to take all mediums to take India to the next level of development," Sinhji Jadeja told ANI.

His statement came at a time when the Kshatriya or Rajput community in Gujarat had taken strong objection to Union minister Parshottam Rupala’s remarks on erstwhile rulers of princely states.

Addressing a small gathering in Rajkot on March 22, Rupala had remarked that erstwhile ‘maharajas’ succumbed to the persecution of foreign rulers as well as the Britishers. The union minister further said these ‘maharajas’ broke bread with these rulers and also married off their daughters to them.

Furthermore, Rupala had praised dalits at the expense of the Kshatriyas or Rajputs. Rajput community members saw the remarks as an insult to them, which then triggered a controversy.

"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!"

The BJP has dominated the political landscape in Gujarat over the past decade.

Voting for 25 out of 26 seats in Gujarat will take place next week, with the Surat seat being in the exception. BJP's Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal recently joined a select list of 29 MPs to be elected unopposed to the Lok Sabha since 1952, when the first election of independent India was held. Dalal was named the winner on April 22 after all his opponents, including Congress’ Nilesh Kumbhani, withdrew their nominations.