Kashiram Rana: The First and Last 'Supremo' of Surat BJP

(Utkarsh Patel)

In the political history of Gujarat's BJP, some names transcend mere remembrance and become sources of inspiration. One such name is Kashiram Rana,once known as supremo. His imprint is visible in every corner of Surat city, and his contribution to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is so significant that calling him the cornerstone of the South Gujarat and especially the Surat BJP would be no exaggeration. His life's struggles, his affable nature with party workers, and his political career form a saga that is inspiring for today's youth and those entering politics.

Kashiram Rana's Invaluable Contribution to the BJP:

The contribution Kashiram Rana made to strengthen the BJP in Gujarat, and especially in South Gujarat, can hardly be compared to anyone else. When the BJP was still trying to find its footing, Kashiram Rana played a key role in making Surat a stronghold of the party. 

He joined as an active worker in the 1980s and gradually became an important leader of the party due to his dedication and ability to connect with people. He won the Surat Lok Sabha seat in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2009, a record in itself. This continuous victory shows that he not only had political acumen and shrewdness but also the trust of the people.

During his time, the development of Surat city reached a new level. Kashiram Rana played a significant role in giving national recognition to this city, famous for its textile and diamond industries. When he was the Union Minister for Textiles, the industries of Surat received a boost, and employment opportunities increased. 

All this was the result of his visionary leadership. To strengthen the BJP organization, he traveled from village to village, uniting the workers and spreading the party's ideology to the masses.

Kashiram Rana's Life Struggle:

Kashiram Rana's life is a journey of extraordinary success for an ordinary man. Born on April 7, 1936, Kashiram's childhood was full of struggles. Amidst poverty and limited resources, he completed his education and chose the path of social service. His life shows that any destination can be achieved with hard work and dedication.

Before entering politics, he worked as a teacher. During this time, he explained the importance of education to the youth and sowed the seeds of social awareness. Later, when he entered politics, this experience came in handy. His simplicity and straightforward speaking style won the hearts of the people. His life's struggle is an example that even by overcoming difficulties, big dreams can be realized.

Kashiram Rana's Amiable Dealings with Party Workers:

Kashiram Rana's greatest quality was his affable nature. Despite being a big leader, his dealings with party workers were like that of a friend or family member. He remembered the name of every worker and listened to their problems. Because of this, there was immense faith in him among the BJP workers. During village meetings, he would sit with people for hours, discussing and trying to find solutions to their problems.

This simplicity and gentle behavior filled the workers with new enthusiasm. He believed that the success of the party depended on the hard work of its workers, and therefore, he always gave priority to the workers.

A Glimpse of Kashiram Rana's Career:

Kashiram Rana's political career spanned almost four decades. He was associated with the party since the formation of the BJP in 1980. Starting as a councilor in the Surat Municipal Corporation, he journeyed to the Lok Sabha. The most important phase of his career was from 2001 to 2004 when he was the Union Minister for Textiles in the government of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During this time, he took the textile industry of Surat to new heights.

His career saw many ups and downs, but he always maintained his principles and integrity. He passed away on August 31, 2012, but his memories are still alive among the workers. For the people of Surat, he was not just a leader but a guide who dedicated his life to the development of the city, and for the BJP workers, he was like a member of the family.

In Short...

Kashiram Rana was a personality who gave a new identity to Surat and Gujarat BJP through his simplicity, struggle, and dedication. His life has been a source of inspiration, showing that the biggest position can be achieved with true dedication and affection for the people. The city of Surat and the veteran BJP workers will never forget him. His memories are still alive in the hearts of the workers who worked with him.

(The author is a renowned entrepreneur and social worker. The views expressed in the article are their personal opinions.)