A Facebook post by Radhika Rupani, the only daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, that she wrote on Sunday night, has gone viral across Gujarat and BJP circles. In the post, she has specifically focused on her father’s soft-spoken and clean image and the fact that how hard he worked by being accessible to everyone, with a smiling face while refusing to become a part of any group or indulge in rhetoric.
In her post, Radhika has made sharp observations without targeting anyone, ostensibly in view of the media reports and statements made against Rupani which stated that he was removed due to his “administrative weaknesses” and “soft spoken image”.
Titled, “Vijay Rupani—in the eyes of a daughter”, the post was penned in Gujarati at around 9 pm, roughly four hours after Rupani was replaced as CM of Gujarat. Radhika, who is settled in London, United Kingdom, recalled how Rupani handled the Covid-19 and Cyclone Tauktae while sharing the political journey of Rupani.
“Yesterday, many political specialists talked about Vijaybhai’s work and his BJP tenure. Many thanks to them. According to them, father’s tenure started from a party worker and was limited to Chairman, Mayor, Rajya Sabha member, Chairman of Tourism, BJP president, Chief Minister etc. but in my view, father’s tenure started from 1979 Morbi disaster, Amreli rains, Kutch earthquake, Swaminarayan temple terrorist attack, Godhra scandal, heavy rains in Banaskantha, Taute cyclone and Covid-19 pandemic, my father was standing everywhere,” she said.
“Yesterday I read a news headline—Vijaybhai’s soft-spoken image worked against him. I have to ask a question, shouldn’t politicians be sensitive and decent? Isn’t it a necessary quality we need in a leader? A soft-spoken image is a personality that lets people of all levels of society come and meet the CM easily. Where there was a matter of bullying or crime, he took strict steps. From CM dashboard to land grabbing act, love jihad, Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act (GUJCOCA), liquor ban all these are proof of his work. But according to some, roaming with a serious and heavy face all day is the only sign of a leader?”
She stated that papa (Rupani) used to tell her that politics and politician’s image have been distorted and he wanted to change the same perception. “There used to be a lot of discussions in our home about why there is so much corruption, negativity in Indian politics. And in such a situation, how will a simple personality and simple temperament survive? Are these traits enough? But my father always said the same thing: that politics and a leader’s image is made from age-old notions like Indian movies and thugs and selfish people; we have to change the same perception. Papa never supported factionalism or rhetoric. This is his trait.”
“Any political specialist who thinks that Vijaybhai’s tenure is over should understand that according to the principles of RSS and BJP rather than Nuisance or Resistance, leaving the post easily without greed of power is more courageous than anything else,” she stated.
“Even today I remember that during the Kutch earthquake, my brother Rishabh was sent home with a school member and my father himself went to Rajkot to help those who were impacted by the earthquake. He considered the marriage of his nephew as a second priority which was scheduled for the second day of the earthquake even as he accepted the responsibility as the charge of Bachau. He took me and my brother together to the region and explained the reality of the earthquake and made us sit with people in the relief fund.”
“In childhood we never enjoyed Sundays in the racecourse or movies in the theatre. Mom and papa used to take us to two BJP workers’ houses. This was their custom. During the terrorist attack on Swaminarayan temple, my father was the first to visit even before Modiji entered the premises. I was taken along so that we could experience reality. Very few people will know that at the time of Tauktae and Covid crises, he stood awake till 2-30 am and made all the arrangements through the CM dashboard and calls. To be among people and public service, was his mantra,” she wrote.
“For years, our house had simple protocols.1. If anyone gets a call at 3 pm then talk politely. 2. Any person comes at home at any time, whether father is present or not, he will be offered tea-snacks. 3. Wear simple dress and simple nature. 4. First learn and then have fun,” Radhika said in the post.
“Professional and Master’s degree was a must in our household. We were allowed to even think about other trivial things only after we completed our studies. Even today, I remember that in Rajkot, while going on a scooter with my father, if there was an accident or quarrel somewhere on the road, then father would stop the scooter and go in the middle of the crowd. He will order an ambulance. His nature is not that he has acquired today, it is his birth nature. His nature has always been of clear thinking and helping people,” she recalled.
Rajkot-based Milan Kothari, who is a senior BJP leader from the Jain community, said that there is a lot of resentment against the removal of Rupani among the community. “No power in the earth can throw him out of the hearts of the common man, you can remove him from the chair only”, Kothari said. The Jain community members account for close to 6 lakh of the 6 crore population of the state and are considered to be financially very influential.