Rupala meets Vaghela as part of BJP's outreach programme

Union minister Parshottam Rupala today met former Congress strongman Shankersinh Vaghela as part of the BJP's "contact for support" campaign ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

During the meeting, held at Vaghela's bungalow in Gandhinagar, Rupala handed over a booklet highlighting the achievements and initiatives of the Narendra Modi government in the last four years.

While talking to reporters, Vaghela said he has advised BJP leaders to also approach the downtrodden and unemployed citizens during its drive.

"I have learnt that BJP leaders, including its president Amit Shah, are meeting people like Ratan Tata, Kapil Dev and Madhuri Dixit. That is ok. But, it is also true that people like Ratan Tata or Kapil Dev are not facing any problems" the former Gujarat Chief Minister told reporters.

"That is why I suggested that BJP leaders should also meet the downtrodden, people from the SC, ST and minority communities as well as unemployed persons. They should also be informed about what this government has achieved in the last four years" said Vaghela, who was with BJP till the late 1990s.

The former Congress leader also extended his best wishes to the Modi government and hoped that it will "fulfil all those promises" made during the election campaign in 2014.

Talking to media persons, Rupala stressed that there was no political motive behind the meet.

"There is no hidden agenda in this meeting. We are meeting dignitaries as part of our Sampark Abhiyan. Vaghela is a senior and experienced leader and it was a pleasure to meet a person like him" said Rupala.

Rupala is a Minister of State for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare and Panchayati Raj in the Modi government.