Addressing the newly elected BJP representatives of local bodies in Kerala, at the inaugration of the Mission 2026 programme at Thiruvananthapuram, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday claimed that the saffron party would form the government in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Shah stated that the Assembly elections in Kerala and West Bengal would be held together and asserted that the BJP would form governments in both the states.
He said it was fortunate that the Assembly elections in Kerala and West Bengal were being held together; otherwise, the two states might have witnessed an alliance between the Congress and the communist parties.
Visiting the Kerala capital for the first time after the BJP-led NDA's historic capture of the Thiruvananthapuram city corporation in the recent local body polls, Shah virtually sounded the bugle for the Assembly polls.
He also targeted the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Opposition Congress-led UDF stating, "While communism is over worldwide, across India the Congress is finished."
He claimed that Kerala's development was possible only under a BJP government.
Shah pointed out that the BJP's vote share in Kerala had risen steadily from 11 per cent in 2014 to 16 per cent in 2019 and about 20 per cent in 2024, and asserted that increasing it to 30 to 40 per cent by 2026 was achievable, as the party had demonstrated across the country.
Referring to the BJP's growth from two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to forming the government at the Centre for a third consecutive term, he cited Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh as examples of the party's expansion.
"The next opportunity is Kerala, and we will come to power here in 2026," Shah said.
He said the change was not limited to urban areas, noting that the BJP had won 30 gram panchayats, two municipalities, and the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, besides emerging second in 79 panchayats.
"Today we are seeing a BJP Mayor in Thiruvananthapuram. Tomorrow we will see a BJP Chief Minister in Kerala," he said.
He further said the BJP's journey in Kerala had not been easy and that the party had neither power nor government in the state, but only dedicated workers.
"Our path was never easy. Securing a BJP victory in Kerala is a formidable challenge. Our final goal is to form a government in Kerala under the lotus symbol and bring a BJP Chief Minister," Shah said.
There were attempts to break their confidence, he said, but party workers stood firm "like a mountain" and secured victory.
Shah said the local body election victory was not the party's final goal and that the BJP must work further to achieve its objective of having a BJP Chief Minister in Kerala.
"Our Prime Minister has placed a sustainable model of development before the world, which has also boosted our economy. The development in Kerala should also be balanced," Shah said, referring to Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047. He added that 'Viksit Bharat' would be achieved through "Viksit Kerala".
Accusing the LDF and UDF of "match-fixing", Shah alleged that their understanding had affected Kerala's development and that both fronts supported each other's corruption.
Shah said Kerala's development should be balanced and not one-sided, while welcoming the hard work of Keralites working abroad.
He alleged that organisations such as the PFI, SDPI, and Jamaat-e-Islami constituted the vote bank of the LDF and the UDF and questioned whether these organisations "could keep Kerala safe."
"Through this programme today, I want to ask the people of Kerala: Can organisations like the PFI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and political parties like the SDPI keep Kerala safe?" "It is the responsibility of the government to identify such threats and make efforts to eliminate them," he said.
Referring to the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI), Shah said both the LDF and the UDF had neither opposed nor supported the decision.
"Wherever I go across the country, I say this clearly-- by banning the PFI, we put its entire cadre behind bars, and the whole country became safer as a result," the home minister said.
He said Kerala's safety could be ensured only by identifying "unseen dangers operating behind the curtain."
"Along with a developed Kerala, a safe Kerala is also important," Shah said.
His remarks come days after Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the IUML and Muslim organisation Jamaat-e-Islami of playing "dangerous politics" by using religion to defeat the BJP in the state.
Referring to the controversial Waqf Amendment Act, Shah claimed that the Centre had introduced the law to "put an end to corruption" related to Waqf properties, but it was opposed by both the LDF and the UDF.
Alleging that 'viruses' of loopholes have been planted in the investigation reports for the Sabarimala gold theft accused to escape, Shah accused the ruling Left of "protecting" the real culprits, and demanded a probe by a "neutral investigation agency" into the case.
Raising the Sabarimala gold loss issue to politically target Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his government, he said those who failed to protect the properties of the hill shrine could not safeguard the faith of the people.
"Only the BJP can safeguard the faith of believers in Kerala," Shah said.
"Sabarimala gold theft is not just an issue of the state, but is closely observed by people throughout our country. Can those people under whom the Sabarimala properties are unsafe protect our faith?" Shah said, adding that he had seen the FIR in the case and alleged that the manner in which it was drafted made it clear that it was aimed at protecting the accused.
Claiming that two persons associated with the LDF were under suspicion, the BJP leader asked how an impartial investigation could be possible under such circumstances.
He further alleged that even the Congress could not be absolved, claiming that evidence had emerged of the involvement of its leaders.
"I demand that the Chief Minister hand over the probe to a neutral investigation agency. The BJP will carry out protests and door-to-door awareness campaigns. This is democracy, Vijayan, and you must order a probe by a neutral agency," Shah said, referring to the Chief Minister.
He reiterated that the BJP would launch protests and door-to-door awareness campaigns on the issue.
His statement came two days after Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Kerala High Court in connection with the case.
(With inputs from PTI and ENS)