Home Minister Amit Shah addressed senior BJP workers of the state on August 22 in Kochi. It was follow-up work in view of the imminent local self-government bodies’ election. He had addressed a meeting of state leaders in July in Thiruvananthapuram for the same agenda. This time, the focus was on the 25% vote share the party aims to secure in the local body elections due in a couple of months. Such a gain, he stressed, can bring the state under BJP rule. To achieve this, excellent contact must be maintained in every ward of the panchayats and every division in municipalities and municipal corporations. This would mark a turning point in the political history of the BJP in the state. An NDA government, he said, is the only solution for a developed Kerala.
The Home Minister alleged that successive governments in Kerala, whether Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) or CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), have not been giving due importance to national security. “They have given it zero importance,” he said. Strayed and misguided youths should be brought back into the mainstream, he added, calling for an intensive campaign in this regard. “Many youths in Kerala are going in the wrong direction. They must be brought back to the agenda of development.”
The Home Minister told leaders that the BJP must win the 2026 Assembly elections and come to power for the sake of the state’s development. Both the LDF and UDF, he alleged, have ignored the Centre’s suggestions for Kerala’s growth. The only way forward is to reach out to the people and expose the lapses of both Fronts. The BJP, he said, must establish itself as the party that truly stands for the development of Kerala. “A developed Kerala” is the BJP’s set goal, and party activities should be planned accordingly. He directed all districts to submit working reports of the “Vikasitha Keralam” project. Winning the 2025 local bodies’ elections, he said, should serve as a rehearsal for the larger victory in the 2026 Assembly polls. The Home Minister put forward a 25-point programme in this regard, reminding leaders that “there is no magic for a win — only hard work”.
Meeting the family of Pahalgam terror attack victims:
The Home Minister also spent time with the widow and daughter of N. Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. He described the deceased as a braveheart and a great patriot.
Today, in Kochi, visited the family of the late Ramachandran Ji, whom we lost to the dastardly Pahalgam attack. Met his wife, Smt. Sheila Ji, and also their daughter, Aarathi R. Menon. Inquired about their well-being and assured them that the nation stands firmly with them.… pic.twitter.com/ataUXKFPOI
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 22, 2025
Security Lapse:
A major security lapse was reported during the Home Minister’s arrival at Kochi International Airport. S. Suresh, a senior police officer on security duty, was found heavily under the influence of alcohol. He was immediately removed from duty. However, BJP workers have stated that no departmental or disciplinary action has yet been taken against him. The issue is particularly serious, they noted, as Amit Shah faces threats comparable to those faced by the Prime Minister, especially due to his hard stance against Maoists and Jammu and Kashmir terrorists. This, they warned, is a dangerous situation for Kerala. They also recalled that when the Prime Minister last visited the same airport, another police officer was reportedly found drunk, and that during a visit to Thiruvananthapuram a few months ago, there was a power failure on his route late in the evening.
Participation at Manorama News Conclave 2025
Earlier in the day, the Home Minister addressed the Manorama News Conclave 2025 in Kochi. He spoke on governance, security, and reforms, highlighting the country’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and outlining the government’s vision for development, governance, and national security.
The Home Minister said: “After Modi Ji became Prime Minister, the country has entered a new era of performance-based politics, replacing casteism, dynastic politics, and appeasement. Until Bharat becomes great, we shall not rest.”
He criticised Kerala’s political model: “The stagnant development model arising from Left ideology is obstructing Kerala’s progress. Because of vote-bank politics, national security has been compromised and law and order has deteriorated.” He questioned why organisations like PFI were not stopped earlier, adding: “If there had been no Modi government, perhaps the Kerala government would still not have banned PFI.”
The Union Home Minister highlighted the transformative governance model at the Centre, stating that under PM Modi, Bharat has experienced stability and long-term planning. “The Modi government has successfully eliminated corruption, both systemically and through policy measures. Internal and external security, infrastructure development, and national prosperity are being guided by clear policies.”
On economic progress, Amit Shah noted: “Over the past 11 years, PM Modi has elevated Bharat’s economy from 11th to one of the top four globally. Significant progress has been made in infrastructure, technology, and opportunities for start-ups, allowing our youth to project themselves on the global stage.”
He also addressed Kerala-specific issues: “Kerala is the most literate state with 100 per cent literacy, yet it faces high unemployment. The people want IT, semiconductor, port, and knowledge-based industries. They seek a government that works for the public, not for party cadres.”
On disaster management funding, the Home Minister said: “Between 2004 and 2014, the Centre provided Kerala Rs 1,342 crore, whereas Modi Ji has provided Rs 5,100 crore in the past 10 years.”
On Delimitation Issue:
On delimitation and electoral reforms, he reassured the southern states: “Whenever delimitation takes place, no injustice will be done to the southern states. The Census will be completed in 2027, and only thereafter will the Delimitation Act be implemented.”
Shah also commented on recent legislative initiatives, including the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, stressing accountability and morality in governance. “The people of the country do not want a Chief Minister or Prime Minister to govern from jail,” he said.
Whenever delimitation takes place, there will be no injustice to the southern states…this is my promise. pic.twitter.com/WGu99B3fVa
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 22, 2025
On electoral reforms, he explained the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and highlighted efforts to maintain a credible voter list. He noted that 22 lakh deceased individuals were still listed on Bihar’s voter rolls, which could have led to fraudulent voting.
Security:
Addressing internal security, Shah said: “Challenges in the North East, Left-wing extremism, and Jammu & Kashmir have seen a 70% reduction in violent incidents, a 70% reduction in civilian casualties, and a 74% reduction in security forces’ deaths. Our military has modernised, and operations like Uri, Pulwama, and Operation Sindoor have sent a strong message globally.”
On ethnic violence in Manipur, the Minister emphasised that peace had been restored through dialogue and engagement with communities. Regarding insurgency, he noted: “Dialogue is only possible when insurgents abandon weapons and operate within the Constitution.”
The Home Minister outlined reforms in India’s criminal justice system, saying: “The Indian Penal Code has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The new laws integrate technology, online hearings, and measures to ensure justice within three years of an FIR being filed. It is our most significant reform of the 21st century.”
Chaired the Kerala BJP leaders' meet in Kochi. The people of Kerala are fed up with the misrules and massive corruption of the LDF & UDF govts.
Chalked out a detailed plan to reach out to every household with Modi Ji's message of building a 'Viksit Keralam'.
ഇന്ന് കൊച്ചിയിൽ… pic.twitter.com/08zmYonZe6
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 22, 2025
Speaking about Prime Minister Modi, he said: “PM Modi is an ideal example of service to the nation, renouncing family and home for politics. In this era of dynastic politics, he treats 140 crore people of Bharat as his family, living a life of selfless public service.”
Kerala Politics
Amit Shah concluded with a call for Kerala to harness its development potential: “Kerala has immense opportunities. We hope the state will embark on a journey of growth and join Bharat’s larger development story.”
The Home Minister challenged Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to a public and open debate regarding disaster relief funds allotted by the Centre. He was responding to the Pinarayi regime’s repeated complaints that the Centre does not provide Kerala with sufficient disaster funding.
The Minister added that BJP workers in Kerala have endured communist violence and continued to march forward. C. Sadanandan Master MP, he said, is a living example of communist brutality. He alleged that both the LDF and UDF compromised national security for the sake of vote-bank politics and encouraged the Popular Front of India in Kerala. “PFI was banned only because of Modiji’s rise to power,” he asserted.
Amit Shah said the BJP enjoys a strong base in Kerala, predicting that the party will secure 25% of votes in the upcoming local bodies’ election and capture power in the next Assembly polls. “Communism deters Kerala’s growth. The state has not attained the progress it deserves. BJP workers in Kerala have endured communist violence and continue to march forward.”
