The Centre nominated actor Suresh Gopi to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday under the art category.

After the announcement, Gopi told the media that it was a gift from the Prime Minister to the people of Kerala and not influenced by politics.

“This is not a political decision. I would like to work for the country not in politics. I did not wish to be a candidate of BJP. I would like to campaign for the party across Kerala,” he said on Thursday.

He added that he will give importance to environment development.

Senior BJP leader O Rajagopal who was with Suresh Gopi while addressing the media said, “This decision should have come earlier. We are happy about this.”

Gopi has been campaigning for BJP for the upcoming assembly elections in Kerala.

Though BJP offered him a seat for the elections from Thiruvananthapuram, he declined the offer. 

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