Mohan Kundariya, BJP MP from Rajkot set to find place in Union Cabinet

AHMEDABAD: First-time MP from Rajkot constituency Mohan Kundariya is all set to be inducted in the Narendra Modi government.

"It is a matter of pride for Saurashtra as well as Gujarat that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to induct Rajkot MP Mohan Kundariya as a Minister in his government," government spokesperson and Health Minister Nitin Patel told reporters in Rajkot.

As per BJP sources, Kundariya received a call today from the Prime Minister's office, asking him to reach Delhi immediately.

Kundariya left for Delhi with Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel and state BJP General Secretary Bhikhu Dalsania, they said.

"After the induction of Kundariya in the Union Cabinet, there will be five representatives from Gujarat. The Prime Minister, Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley), HRD Minister (Smriti Irani) both of whom are Rajya Sabha members from the state, Mansukh Vasava and now Mohanbhai. Five Ministers will be from Gujarat," BJP general secretary Vijay Rupani said.

Kundariya was a five-time MLA from Tankara in Rajkot district. This year, he was given the ticket to contest Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, where he defeated Congress' sitting MP Kuvarji Bavalia. He had also worked as a minister when Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat.

He is from the powerful Patel community in Gujarat, which has stood behind the BJP for the last 20 years in the state in spite of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel parting ways with the BJP to form his own party.

Patel community had not backed Keshubhai in the 2012 Assembly elections and voted for the BJP led by Modi. Keshubhai had later dissolved his party.

Kundariya found himself in the midst of a controversy after he walked over the Gurukul students at a function in March 2014.