Riding the wave of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s recent historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram civic polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Kerala on Friday with a sharp, two-pronged message: development through new infrastructure and a relentless crackdown on local corruption. During a high-octane rally, the PM made an unusual linguistic pivot, closing his speech in English to drive home his point: "Now is the time of Viksit Keralam. Now is the time for the NDA government."
The Prime Minister didn’t pull any punches when addressing the state’s financial scandals. He specifically targeted the LDF and Congress over the cooperative bank scam, which he claimed stripped the poor and middle class of their life savings. "Give the BJP an opportunity, and we will ensure that every rupee from the looters is taken back," he promised the crowd.
Perhaps the most pointed part of his address involved the Sabarimala Temple gold theft allegations. Framing the issue as both a legal and a spiritual betrayal, Modi accused the LDF government of disrespecting the traditions of Lord Ayyappa. He issued what he called "Modi's guarantee" —that a BJP-led government would launch an immediate, thorough probe into the missing gold and ensure the culprits end up in prison.
The rally followed an official event where the PM launched several major projects, including three new Amrit Bharat trains. Interestingly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shared the stage with him during the project launches just hours before the PM shifted into campaign mode. Modi pointed to the 100 per cent electrification of Kerala's rail network and the expansion of the Vande Bharat service as proof that the Centre is delivering on its promises, regardless of the state's political leanings.
With the Assembly elections just months away, Modi framed the BJP’s recent takeover of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation — ending 45 years of LDF control — as a sign that the political tides are turning. He told the media that the win in the state capital sends out "shockwaves" to the entire state and forms the basis for the "liberation" of Kerala from the status quo of longtime LDF and UDF coalitions. Ahead of the state heading into the election scene, the PM signaled that corruption and handling religious institutions would be the main battlegrounds for the NDA as well.
Also read: PM Modi arrives in Kerala, flags off train services
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