Rajkot, 03 April : The investigation into two complaints of violation of the election code of conduct against Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy Minister and BJP candidate from Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, Parshottam Rupala, has been completed. Collector Prabhav Joshi sent the investigation report to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state on Wednesday, after the investigation committee submitted its findings to him a day earlier.
Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi stated that one complaint was regarding Rupala's remarks about the Kshatriya community, and the other was about a violation of the code of conduct related to BJP's training organized at the Swaminarayan Temple on Kalavad Road. The District Election Commission's investigation committee concluded its inquiry into these complaints and submitted its report to the Collector of Rajkot on Tuesday, which has now been forwarded to the state's Chief Electoral Officer P Bharathi.
The video of BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala's statement in Rajkot about the Kshatriya community went viral, sparking protests from the community. Rupala later apologized at a conference organized under the leadership of Jairajsingh Jadeja of Gondal. Despite this, the Kshatriya Samaj is demanding the cancellation of Rupala's candidature.
Following the viral video, the Election Commission initiated an investigation. The Rajkot Collector then appointed a Nodal Officer, along with a State Officer, to conduct the inquiry. Subsequently, a meeting was held at the Swaminarayan Temple in support of BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Rupala. Congress raised objections, prompting further investigation. All eyes are now on the Election Commission's potential actions based on the investigation report against Rupala.
