Paresh Rawal, the BJP candidate from Ahmedabad East, launched his campaign today
As actor Paresh Rawal, who wants to play Narendra Modi on screen, launched his campaign in Gujarat's Ahmedabad today, the man who won from here seven times was in Delhi, being placated by BJP chief Rajnath Singh.
"My most important agenda is to make Narendra Modi the PM," Mr Rawal declared, insisting that he was not an outsider in Ahmedabad.
The BJP announced the 63-year-old actor as its candidate from Ahmedabad East on Sunday, rejecting veteran MP Harin Pathak, who is said to be close to LK Advani.
The party, dogged by disputes over candidates for next month's national election, launched yet another damage control today. An upset Mr Pathak was to address a press conference in Ahmedabad, but cancelled it after Rajnath Singh called him to Delhi.
"I don't know why I was denied a ticket. I am a seven-term MP and I would have won with a thumping margin," Mr Pathak told reporters after meeting Mr Singh. "I have told Rajnath Singh about my hurt over the functioning of the party in Gujarat."
Despite Mr Pathak's credentials, however, Paresh Rawal, who is said to be close to Mr Modi, was seen as a shoo-in for nomination from the Ahmedabad East constituency. His name reportedly went uncontested in the meeting of BJP's election committee, which includes the party's top leaders including Mr Modi.
Mr Rawal had campaigned for Mr Modi during the 2012 Gujarat state elections.
Last year, the actor announced plans to produce a biopic on the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, and declared himself the best man for the role. He has played Sardar Patel - the iconic leader the Congress accuses Mr Modi of trying to appropriate - in the 1993 film "Sardar."