Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sought to reassure Keralites amid the crisis in West Asia while unveiling the BJP’s vision for a “Viksit Keralam”, as he launched the NDA’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections at a massive rally at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.
Referring to the large Malayali diaspora in the Gulf, Modi said the situation in West Asia had caused concern among families in Kerala but assured that the Union government would stand firmly with Indians abroad.
“Whenever our countrymen are in trouble overseas, we do not abandon them. Our missions and embassies are operating 24/7 helplines, and we will provide all help for our people in the Gulf,” he said.
Stressing the government's commitment to boost renewable energy sources, he said India was bringing down its reliance on fossil fuels. In this context, he pointed out the laying of the foundation stone for a 50 MW floating solar power project at West Kallada in Kollam district earlier in an official event in Kerala. The initiative would strengthen Kerala’s renewable energy capacity and contribute to the country’s clean energy transition, he said.
Expressing gratitude to friendly nations in the region for ensuring the safety of Indians, Modi said it was “unfortunate” that the Congress had chosen this moment to criticise the government. He also cited the rescue of priest Tom Uzhunnalil from captivity in Yemen and the release of Jesuit priest Alexis Prem Kumar as examples of the Centre’s efforts to protect Indians abroad.
Launching the BJP’s “Viksit Keralam” campaign, the Prime Minister said the party aimed to transform Kerala into a hub of tourism, talent, and technology. Kerala, he said, could emerge as the country’s first choice destination for wellness tourism, destination weddings, concerts, and global conferences.
Modi said the Centre had been supporting the modernisation of Kerala’s infrastructure through several major projects and stressed that the BJP would work to develop the state into a hub for artificial intelligence and future technologies. “Our youngsters have immense talent. Many of them are building drones and innovative startups. We will ensure they get the right ecosystem to grow,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without naming him, Modi said the “Congress yuva raja” was unaware that young Indians were building drones and emerging technologies. “If the BJP comes to power, we will end corruption, land mafia, hartal mafia, and red-tapism, and ensure justice for Kerala’s youth,” he said.
The Prime Minister also launched a sharp attack on both the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF, accusing the two fronts that have alternated in power since the formation of the state of failing the younger generation. “For decades, both UDF and LDF cheated the youngsters of Kerala,” he said.
Alleging corruption under both regimes, Modi said the UDF government had been tainted by the solar scam, while the LDF government was facing allegations related to the CMRL controversy. He also accused the Left government of allowing the “looting of gold from Sabarimala Temple”, claiming that the LDF presided over the theft while the Congress was selling the looted gold.
Modi further criticised political alliances in the state, alleging that the Congress was aligning with Jamaat elements while the Left was associating with extremist groups.
"Despite Kerala's immense potential, it hasn't developed at the pace it should have. The pattern of one LDF government, another UDF government, has caused significant damage to Kerala. These two groups believe their turn will come in five to ten years. Therefore, they don't work hard for Kerala's development. This pattern is the reason for Kerala's corruption," he said.
He urged the people of Kerala to give the BJP-led NDA a chance to serve them for the next five years as it comes with "Modi's guarantees".
The PM said that people were ready to move away from the LDF-UDF politics and asserted that the BJP's wins in Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in 2024 and the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation recently will expand to entire Kerala.
Pitching the BJP’s “double-engine government” model, he said Kerala would grow at “double speed” if the party came to power in the state with support from the Centre.
The rally at the JLN Stadium, attended by thousands of supporters, marked the formal launch of the BJP-led NDA’s campaign for the Kerala assembly elections expected to be announced soon.