Addressing a massive BJP-led NDA rally in Pathanamthitta, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that while political cycles are transient, his unwavering priority remains the safety and welfare of Keralites, particularly those working in the Gulf. With the state heading to the polls for 140 Assembly seats on April 9, the PM signaled that the “countdown” for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has officially begun.
Development and the “Double-Engine” Promise
PM Modi criticized the incumbent LDF and the opposition UDF for stagnating Kerala’s growth. He argued that despite the state’s immense potential, it continues to lag behind in basic infrastructure due to decades of neglect by both fronts.
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The Northeast Blueprint: Modi pointed to the BJP’s success in Goa and six out of seven North-Eastern states—regions with significant Christian populations—as evidence that the NDA can deliver development in diverse demographic landscapes.
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Central Investment: He claimed the NDA government at the Centre has spent five times more on Kerala’s development than previous Congress-led UPA regimes.
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Infrastructure Pledges: The PM specifically blamed the Left for stalling the Sabari rail project and guaranteed that a “double-engine” government (BJP at both State and Centre) would remove all hurdles to progress.
On the Gulf Crisis and Geopolitics
Addressing the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Prime Minister slammed the Congress party for making “fear-mongering” statements intended to gain political mileage.
“Politics and elections will come and go, but my top priority is the safety of brothers and sisters from Kerala in the Gulf.”
He reassured the diaspora that the Central government is working tirelessly to ensure their security and maintain strong diplomatic ties with Gulf nations, despite attempts by opposition parties to create distrust.
Corruption, Migration, and the “WWF” Fight
The Prime Minister touched upon several key socio-economic issues facing the state:
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Youth Migration: He identified the mass exodus of youth seeking jobs abroad as Kerala’s biggest crisis, promising local opportunities under NDA rule.
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The “Secret Partnership”: Modi likened the rivalry between the LDF and UDF to a WWF wrestling match—suggesting their public spats are scripted performances to hide a “secret partnership” aimed at keeping the BJP out.
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Religious Sentiments: Referring to the Sabarimala gold loss controversy, he accused both fronts of “looting” the shrine and promised that an NDA government would ensure those responsible are punished.
Debunking “Lies”
The PM took the opportunity to dismiss several political narratives, asserting that:
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Southern states will not lose Lok Sabha seats due to population control measures.
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The LDF and UDF have consistently “spread lies” regarding the CAA, FCRA, and films like The Kerala Story to mislead the public.
Closing his speech with greetings for Easter and Vishu, PM Modi urged the electorate to choose a path of “communal harmony and corruption-free governance” by voting for the NDA.
