Actor-turned-politician Paresh Rawal has turned heads with his most recent statement endorsing “benevolent” dictatorship as viable form of government,

In his most recent interview, Rawal, who is contesting for the Lok Sabha elections from Ahmedabad on a BJP ticket, stated, “A benevolent dictatorship is what India needs.”

The statement was made with direct referrence to BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who is often called 'dictatorial' by his opposition. However, Rawal seemed to admire the quality, adding, “This man is the sort that if he can’t do work, he will leave. And if he gets work done, he’ll get it done only his way.”

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He explained, “In Modi's government, there is only one centre of power, but he has to head a majority government, otherwise people will be shouting that 'he’s a dictator'. But I say, we need a benevolent dictator—one who is well-meaning, thinks about people, their welfare, one who understands. That’s the best combo.”

Rawal, who is close to the Modi, also suggested that the prime ministerial candidate will not head a coalition government. “Things will have to be Modi’s way, or he’ll take the highway. If the results throw up a coalition, Modi will not head a government that’ll be pulled in various directions by various leaders,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Rawal made it clear that making Modi the prime minister was on his priority list. "To make Narendra Modi our next prime minster is the most important agenda for me and people of my constituency during this election."

Rawal replaces seven time MP Harin Pathak as the BJP candidate from Ahmedabad (East).