THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on January 23 in Thiruvananthapuram that Kerala needs a Double Engine Government to achieve development comparable to that of other parts of the country. He promised stringent action against the Sabarimala gold loot and the cooperative bank scandal. The Prime Minister was addressing a mammoth rally in Putharikkandam Grounds in Thiruvananthapuram.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had promised the voters of Tiruvananthapuram that the Prime Minister would launch a development blueprint within 45 days of the new BJP Mayor’s swearing-in. But the PM has arrived within 27 days. Earlier, the Prime Minister posted two X posts. One said, ‘I look forward to meet my brothers and sisters in Tiruvananthapuram and kick off the development programmes’. Another post said that both the UDF (Congress-led United Democratic Front) and the LDF (CPM-led Left Democratic Front) are engaged in match-fixing. He mentioned that in Thiruvananthapuram on Parakram Divas, the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Putharikkandam Grounds was a road show from the Over Bridge area. Thousands of people lined up on either side of the road, in the hot sun, to have a glimpse of their Prime Minister. They consisted of a good number of women and children.
The Prime Minister started his speech in Malayalam -Sahodari Sahodaranmare (Brothers and sisters) ! Then he spoke about various projects he had inaugurated before the public meeting. They included the flag-off of three Amruth Bharat trains, namely Tiruvananthapuram–Thiruvananthapuram (Chennai), Tiruvananthapuram–Hyderabad, and Nagercoil– Mangalore, and a passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayoor. Another programme was the laying of the foundation stone for the Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub. The next one was the PM Svanidhi Credit Card for the benefit of street vendors, hawkers, and those working on footpaths across the country. Then Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Poojappura Head Post Office and also a Radio Surgery Centre. Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Union Ministers V. Somanna and George Kurien participated in the formal and official programme. Modiji stated that the launching of these projects has gained a strong momentum for urban development.
Addressing the BJP rally, Modiji said that urban infrastructure development will be given priority. City development plays a crucial role in Vikasit Bharat. He talked about 4 crores houses constructed under PM Awaas Yojna. One crore houses were permanent ones for the urban poor. Kerala got 1.25 lakhs. They were for the urban population in Kerala alone. PM pointed out the lifting of the Income Tax limit to Rs 12 lakhs. It is beneficial for the middle class and salaried people in Kerala. The PM announced Rs. 5 lakh in medical assistance for citizens aged 70 and above under Ayushman Bharat. The Mathru Vandana programme is aimed at women’s health security. His government’s efforts to develop the state received a boost with enhanced rail connectivity and initiatives to transform the Kerala capital into a major startup hub. The Union government has made great investments in urban infrastructure during the last 11 years. The Prime Minister stated that the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana highlights the reduction of electricity expenses of the poor. Lakhs of street vendors who used to struggle to borrow even a few hundred at high interest rates are now availing bank loans, thanks to the PM Svanidhi scheme. Among the beneficiaries, 10,000 belong to Kerala, and 600 of them are from Tiruvananthapuram.
The Prime Minister said that flagging off the new trains will boost pilgrimage tourism, and other projects would accelerate the state’s development. It shows that the union government will always stand with the state. He extended best wishes to the state and its people.
The Prime Minister embraced Mayor V.V. Rajesh and congratulated Deputy Mayor Asha Nath G.S. before addressing the rally. The PM congratulated and thanked lakhs of people of Tiruvananthapuram for voting BJP to power in the recently concluded Municipal Corporation elections. He said, whenever he comes to Kerala, the people give him a hearty welcome; but, this time it is peculiar with new energy and new hopes. He said, politics will change in Kerala, he was sure. He reminded that Gujarat started to reap victories after the BJP won the Ahmedabad Corporation elections in 1987. Since then, the party has not looked back. Likewise, Tiruvananthapuram is the beginning in Kerala. It shows that Keralites have started to trust the BJP. It is not an ordinary victory, but it is legendary. People gave the BJP a chance to liberate the state from the corrupt alternating UDF and LDF regimes. It is part of the BJP wave across the country. He said: “Thank you Tiruvananthapuram”.
By that time, the PM saw a small boy waving a picture of him (PM). He asked him to hand it over to his staff with his address written on the reverse side. He promised to write him a letter. One lady was waving a book. He asked her to hand it over to his staff.
The Prime Minister said that wherever he goes, youths and children love him and give him their pictures.
Some people say it is drama. He said he does not care what they say.
Modiji said that both the LDF and the UDF have done wrong things over the last 70 years. He said in Malayalam – “Maraathathu maarum”, meaning that whatever is refused during the fast will now change. (It was the BJP slogan for the recently concluded Local Self-Government Institutions election. Tiruvanantrapuram will become a model city, one of the best ones in the country, with all the infrastructure facilities. He assured his strong support for it. He said the imminent assembly elections are important for the state. Until now, LDF and UDF have been alternating. But now a third Front is very much here. BJP shows the best governance. LDF and UDF have different jhanda (flags) and symbols, but both share a single agenda: communalism, zero responsibility, and corruption. Because both believe that they will get power after five or ten years. Both have the same ecosystem. Now, there is an alternative for the people. BJP can accomplish that mission.
The PM cited the example of Tripura, a state ruled by the CPM for 30 years. Now, this is the BJP’s second consecutive term there. They ruled West Bengal for about 40 years. Now, they find it difficult to zero in on a candidate for elections. In Kerala, they still get seats because of the adjustments between both Fronts. LDF is the enemy of development. They try their level best to block the union government’s aid. He gave a list of the major union government aid programs Kerala lost due to the wrong LDF policies, leaving the common people as losers.
The Prime Minister said that the NDA stands for the welfare of the common people, hence central schemes such as the PM Swanidhi plan. PM Kissan Samman Nidhi is another one. There are over 30,000 beneficiaries in Kerala under this scheme. When the Left Front ruled Bharat for 10 years, farmers did not receive any benefits; they only received empty promises. The monies were looted. Under the NDA rule, Rs 14,000 cr was granted to Kerala. A new ministry for fisheries was formed. Kissan credit cards are also being availed by fishermen. So, they can find the funds to repair their boats. The Government of Bharat has formulated several schemes for the youth. Youths are very much important for Kerala’s development. Several agreements are being signed and discussed with foreign countries. BJP’s ‘Double Engine Government’ is the need of the hour in this regard.
Modiji emphasised that infrastructure development is essential for job generation. But both LDF and UDF are least bothered about this. All railway lines in Kerala are now electrified. Vizhinjam Port is another example. The number of vessels and containers handled is increasing day by day. Here, the LDF regime blocks the development. The banking is not safe. The cooperative bank scam is a blatant example. Ordinary people lose money in the cooperative sector. They suffer to run their children’s education, marriages, etc. If the BJP gets a chance, the looted money will be recovered from the looters. The PM referred to the Sabarimala gold loot. If the BJP is voted to power, enquiries will be carried out, and the corrupt culprits will be in jail – THIS IS MODI KEE GUARANTEE.
The Prime Minister stated that Congress lacks a development agenda. They are more communist than Maoists and more communal than the Muslim League. Therefore, they shall be called MMC (Muslim League-Maovaadi Congress). The state has to be saved from them. Twenty-five years of the 21st century are over. Kerala needs a new political culture for the next 25 years. This is the right time for a change in favour of the NDA.
The PM reminded the workers that it was Parakram Divas, the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the entire brass of the Kerala BJP, and leaders of NDA constituents were on the dais. BDJS leader Thushar Vellappalli, Twenty 20 leader Sabu M. Jacob, JSS leader Prof. A.V. Tamarakshan and Kerala Kamaraj Congress leader Vishnupuram Chandrasekahran were among them.
The Prime Minister flew to Tamil Nadu immediately after the Tiruvananthapuram programme. His programme in the southern tip could thrill the entire state and the entire BJP organisation in the state.
