Proclaiming that he was happy to be closer to Sabarimala and its spirituality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi trumpeted ‘Swamiye Sharanamayyappo’, replacing his usual electoral signature of ‘Jai Shree Ram’. He was speaking at Konni in Pathanamthitta, supporting K Surendran.
Throughout his speech, Modi harshly criticised the UDF-LDF fronts in Kerala, saying that the political situation in the state had changed and that the people were ready to accept the NDA rule. He added that these fronts are being supported by SDPI and the Popular Front. Pulling out the issues of solar, gold smuggling and bar bribery, Modi accused the two fronts of looting all sectors.
“Different ideologies came together during the emergency against the incumbent government and won the next election. A similar emotion can be witnessed in Kerala, and the people are ready to lift BJP to power. Those doing election analysis in Delhi is not seeing the people’s movement in Kerala,” said Modi during the event. “People have decided not to join the LDF-UDF alliance as they want NDA. In Kerala, professionals are joining the BJP and Metroman E Sreedharan is an example of this. Sreedharan would change the course of Kerala politics.”
Claiming that both fronts are arrogant and greedy, Modi said that both are trying to compete in terms of corruption. He added that family politics are more important to them, citing the example of CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s son Bineesh Kodiyeri’s tryst with the Customs and Narcotics Control Bureau. He added that Kerala couldn’t develop the Tourism sector and that NDA is pushing for pro-development policies.
Alleging that the LDF defamed the culture of Kerala, he said, “The Left used agents to destroy holy places in Kerala. The same government beat Ayyappa devotees with lathi. Devotees are not criminals. The lies of the Left would not last long and that the culture of the country could not be destroyed in the name of imported ideology. BJP workers would resist any attempt to destroy the culture of the country.”
