Actor-Turned-Politician Suresh Gopi Sworn In As Minister of State In Narendra Modi's Cabinet

Suresh Gopi Joins Modi's Cabinet As Minister of State: Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi has been sworn in as Minister of State in the third Narendra Modi Cabinet. Suresh Gopi, who won from the Thrissur constituency and entered the Lok Sabha as an MP, took the oath in English, invoking the name of God.

Earlier in the day, uncertainty surrounded Suresh Gopi's ministerial position, with speculation rife about his inclusion in the cabinet. This suspense was lifted when Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called him, prompting Gopi's prompt departure to Delhi.

Suresh Gopi's appointment as Minister of State seemed likely after his significant victory in the Thrissur constituency, where he secured a majority of 74,686 votes. However, doubts had emerged since the previous night, casting shadows over his potential cabinet role. Initially, Suresh Gopi expressed hesitation about accepting a ministerial position due to his ongoing commitments in the film industry. Despite this, after receiving Modi's direct call from Delhi, he decided to take on the role and was formally sworn in.

Who Is Suresh Gopi?

Suresh Gopi, born on June 26, 1958, in Alappuzha, began his journey in the entertainment industry as a child artist in the 1965 film Odayil Ninnu. Rising to fame as an action star in the Malayalam film industry during the 1990s, he became a household name.

Transitioning from a successful acting career, Suresh Gopi entered politics in 2016, aligning himself with the BJP. In October of the same year, he received a BJP nomination to the Rajya Sabha.

During his tenure from 2016 to 2019, Suresh Gopi served as a member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, as well as the Communications and Information Technology Committee. Subsequently, from 2019 to 2022, he contributed to the Consultative Committee for Tribal Affairs and held a position on the Coconut Development Board in Kochi.

In September 2023, Suresh Gopi was appointed as the president of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) and chairman of its governing council.

In the electoral arena, Suresh Gopi contested both the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 assembly polls from Kerala's Thrissur constituency. Despite his immense popularity, particularly evident in the large crowds drawn during campaigning, victory eluded him. However, in the general election of 2024, Suresh Gopi secured the Thrissur seat for the BJP with 4,12,338 votes. This win marked the Bharatiya Janata Party's debut in the Lok Sabha from Kerala.