The recent controversy surrounding Union minister and BJP’s Rajkot Lok Sabha seat candidate Parshottam Rupala, a Patidar, and the agitation by the Rajput community is not expected to escalate into a conflict between the two communities, according to political experts.
During a small gathering in Rajkot on March 22, Parshottam Rupala made remarks about the historical interactions of ‘maharajas’ with foreign rulers and the British. These comments were perceived as insulting by members of the Rajput community, leading to protests and calls for the BJP to withdraw Rupala’s candidature.
Despite the tension, experts believe that this issue is not indicative of a larger conflict between Patidars and Rajputs. The Rajput leaders are specifically against Parshottam Rupala, and there is no widespread animosity towards the Patidar community as a whole. They note that in the past, the two communities had been rivals, but under BJP rule, these rivalries have largely dissipated.
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Analysts suggest that the impact of the Rajput community’s stance on the elections may be minimal, considering the urban makeup of the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat and the lack of a strong Congress candidate. They point out that the unity of the Hindu vote bank, which has been strengthened under BJP rule, is likely to outweigh any caste-based issues in this election.
Parshottam Rupala has since apologized twice for his remarks, seeking forgiveness from the Rajput community. Some Rajput leaders have accepted his apology, while others continue to demand his replacement. However, experts believe that this incident is unlikely to revive the old caste fault lines between Patidars and Rajputs, which had caused significant tensions in the past.
