THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the BJP’s historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls as a “significant mandate for change” and urged voters to choose a “pro-people and pro-development government.”
Modi also launched a scathing attack on both the ruling LDF and opposition UDF, accusing them of "wrecking" Kerala in collusion with each other for the past many decades.
He said it was now time for a "transformation" in the state by electing an NDA government that stands for development and good governance.
"If you want to save Kerala, you have to break the LDF-UDF nexus and bring transformation," he said at a rally attended by thousands of BJP workers at Putharikandam Maidan. Modi said the flags and symbols of LDF and UDF are different, but they follow the same agenda.
"They switch power every five years. They change governments, but the system remains the same. You have to make a new government that is pro-people and pro-development. Only the BJP-NDA can do it," Modi said.
He cited the instances in Tripura and West Bengal where the Left parties ruled for decades, but people rejected them after being fed up with their misgovernance. "It's important to teach the LDF a lesson in Kerala," Modi said.
Accusing the LDF of not sparing any attempt to denigrate the beliefs and customs of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Modi said the CPM was involved in the theft of gold belonging to the deity.
"If the BJP assumes power in the state, we will launch a probe and put all the offenders behind bars. This is Modi's guarantee," he said amid a thunderous applause.
Stating that corruption has put a brake on development in Kerala, Modi said even bank deposits were not safe under LDF rule, referring to the Karuvannur bank scam in which the ruling CPM was in the dock.
"The culprits need to be given strict punishment. Give the BJP a chance. We will retrieve the stolen money from the looters," he said.
The Prime Minister attacked opposition UDF in Kerala, referring to its main constituent Congress as "MMC" or "Muslim-League Maoist Congress". "They are encouraging extremists. We have to unitedly save this 'pavitra bhoomi' from such elements," he said.
Modi termed the BJP assuming power in Thiruvanathapuram Corporation as historic and unprecedented. He said its reverberation was heard not only in Kerala but across India.
Addressing the rally, Modi said the BJP’s win in Thiruvananthapuram was “not ordinary, but extraordinary,” adding that the people of city had given the party a chance to serve them after decades of perceived mismanagement by the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF.
“BJP’s victory in Thiruvananthapuram is a victory for the commitment to defeat the corruption of LDF and UDF,” he said.
Recalling the BJP’s early days in Gujarat, Modi drew a parallel with Kerala’s political journey.
“Prior to 1987, BJP was a small party in Gujarat. Newspapers barely covered us. In 1987, we registered our first victory in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, and it all started from one city. In Kerala too, it has started from one city, Thiruvananthapuram, and that is why I say Kerala has now trusted the BJP,” he said.
Modi also made a big promise to the people of Kerala that if the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power in the state, Sabarimala gold loss will be examined and the culprits will be jailed. “This is Modi's guarantee,” the Prime Minister said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Emphasising the public's enthusiasm, Modi said, “Your enthusiasm gives me hope that Kerala will definitely witness 'Parivartan' (change). The hard work of lakhs of workers has borne fruit, and this is an emotional moment for me. First of all, before I begin my address, I would like to respectfully bow before the people of Thiruvananthapuram and lakhs of our supporters.”
The Prime Minister also attacked the state’s mainstream coalitions, claiming that decades of UDF and LDF rule had kept civic conditions backward in the city. “BJP’s victory in Thiruvananthapuram civic body polls is extraordinary. The people of Thiruvananthapuram gave the BJP a chance to serve them,” he said.
With Assembly elections scheduled later this year, Modi’s speech signals the NDA’s intent to consolidate its gains in Kerala, using the corporation victory as a springboard for a wider campaign across the state.
(With inputs from the Online Desk)