Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh on Monday found himself in the middle of a controversy after his remarks supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return to power in the Lok Sabha election came to light through a video footage.
The video purportedly showed Mr. Singh telling reporters that the nation and society needed Mr. Modi to become the PM again.
“All of us are BJP workers. We genuinely want the BJP to win. We want that Modi ji should become the Prime Minister... It is necessary for the nation and society that Modi ji becomes the PM again,” Mr. Singh said in the video shot in his hometown Aligarh last week.
Mr. Singh, a former two-time Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, apparently made the remarks in the midst of a protest staged by some BJP workers outside his house against the party ticket for the Lok Sabha polls being given to sitting MP Satish Gautam.
Non-partisan position
Mr. Singh’s remarks drew criticism from various quarters, with leaders reminding him that a Governor should be non-partisan and should maintain distance from party politics.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Mr. Singh’s statements did not suit the dignity of the post he was holding. “We have utmost respect for Kalyan Singh ji ... He is holding a [high] Constitutional post. It is expected of the Governors to be non-partisan,” he said.
Rajasthan Pradesh Congress president and Deputy CM Sachin Pilot described Mr. Singh’s remarks as violating the dignity of his Constitutional office. He said it was unfortunate that Mr. Singh had described himself as a BJP worker.
Mr. Singh quit the BJP in 1999 and rejoined the party in 2004. The 87-year-old BJP leader was appointed Rajasthan Governor in 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre.
