Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | Union Minister Suresh Gopi calls Indira Gandhi 'mother of Bharat'; donates rosary to church

Suresh Gopi had won Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency by dashing the hopes of Karunakaran's son and Congress leader K Muraleedharan who finished third in a triangular contest in the April 26 polls.

Thrissur, Kerala: Union minister of state and BJP's maiden Lok Sabha MP from Kerala Suresh Gopi on Saturday donated a golden rosary to the 'Our Lady of Lourdes' metropolitan cathedral in his constituency Thrissur.

The offering assumes significance as a golden crown offered by the actor-turned politician a few months back in connection with his daughter's wedding had triggered a row with a section raising suspicion over the quantum of gold content in the crown.

Support from Christian vote banks of Thrissur was also believed to have helped in Gopi's election victory.

Gopi, who is on his maiden visit to Thrissur after taking over as minister of state for petroleum and natural gas and tourism, visited the church and donated the golden rosary. He also took part in the prayers at the church by singing a devotional song.

Indira Gandhi 'mother of Bharat'

Gopi, who visited the memorial of Congress leader and former chief minister K Karunakaran at Thrissur, told reporters that he considers former prime minister Indira Gandhi as the 'mother of India' .

"As we see Indira Gandhi as mother of Bharat, I consider Karunakaran as father of Congress in Kerala," Gopi said, hailing the late Congress Chief Minister as a "courageous administrator". He added that he visited the memorial owing to his personal bonding and respect with Karunakaran and his wife.

The other day Gopi had visited the family of former Chief Minister and Communist leader E K Nayanar in Kannur. The BJP leader also called Karnuakaran and Marxist veteran E K Nayanar his "political gurus".

Gopi was accompanied by Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal, who had joined the BJP from Congress, just ahead of the election. Karunakaran's son and senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan contested against Gopi at Thrissur, but could finish in third place only.

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