Senior BJP leader George Kurien has resigned from the Union Cabinet. He will have to leave the ministry after the completion of six years as a member of the Rajya Sabha. The Union ministry chapter is also over for the time being as the BJP has not nominated him again to the Rajya Sabha.
President Draupadi Murmu has accepted George Kurien’s resignation, Rashtrapati Bhavan sources said. The decision was taken on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. Rashtrapati Bhavan has also issued an official statement in this regard.
65-year-old George Kurien hails from Kottayam, Kerala. A lawyer by profession, Kurian has long been an important face of the BJP’s Kerala state unit. He also served as the Vice-President of the Kerala branch of the BJP.
Apart from politics, Kurian regularly participated in televised debates. He played a particularly significant role in the BJP’s campaign in Kerala. He translated the speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during their visit to Kerala into Malayalam. As a result, Kurien played an important role in conveying the BJP’s message to the local population.
He joined the Union Cabinet.According to political circles, the move was taken to strengthen the BJP’s organization in Kerala and increase the party’s acceptance, particularly among the Christian community.As one of the most recognizable faces of the BJP in South India, George Kurien’s presence was an important part of the party’s political strategy.
His ministry also ended with the expiry of the Rajya Sabha term. He had to leave the government as the BJP leadership did not decide to send him back to the upper house. However, there is no official information about his future political role.