Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his election campaign in Kerala with a huge gathering in Thrissur, where he conducted a roadshow and addressed a women's convention in central Kerala on January 3.
With Modi’s second visit to Thrissur in the last five years, the Lok Sabha constituency is at the top of the BJP’s agenda in Kerala as the party gears up to launch its Lok Sabha election campaign in the state.
In his address at the BJP-organised women's convention, Modi launched an attack on the Congress and Left parties. Here are the key quotes:
1."After independence, LDF and UDF governments considered 'Nari Shakti' weak, and they put on hold the law that could give reservation to women in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha for so long. But Modi gave you the guarantee to provide you with your rights, and I fulfilled it."
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2."Till Congress and Left alliance govt were there in the country, Muslim sisters were suffering because of triple talaq, but Modi gave the guarantee to provide freedom from it and fulfilled it sincerely."
3."Today in the country, big roads are being made, modern airports are being constructed, but the government of INDIA alliance doesn't let any work happen here because they oppose Modi."
4."INDIA alliance wants full freedom in Kerala for looting. The play happening due to gold smuggling is not hidden from anyone. They don't want anybody to question them regarding the funds being received from the Central govt for poor people and infrastructure, so they try to hinder the schemes by the Central govt."
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5."INDIA alliance only knows one thing; INDIA alliance keeps hurting our faith. They made our temples and festivals mediums for loot. The kind of politics being played with 'Thrissur Pooram' is unfortunate. The mismanagement that has come to light in Sabarimala means devotees are facing a lot of inconveniences. This is proof of the disability of the state govt here."
BJP in Kerala:
While Kerala has a bipolar politics that swings between the Congress and the Left, it is also the second southern state where the BJP managed to open its account in 2016. It stands as the second southern state where the BJP has established a presence.
The BJP won its first seat in Kerala in 2016 but didn't win any in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 state elections. It got around 11%-13% of the votes. Even with a large minority population (45%, including 27% Muslims and 18% Christians), the BJP couldn't win over Hindu voters.
Out of the 131 Lok Sabha seats in the southern region, the BJP has yet to secure victory in 84 constituencies.
Karnataka was their primary stronghold, but it is presently under the governance of the Congress. In the 2019 elections, the BJP clinched 25 out of Karnataka's 28 seats.
