Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Kerala government of weakening mandir traditions by failing to protect the wealth of the Sabarimala mandir, and held the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) responsible for what he described as the looting of the Bhagwan’s gold. Addressing a public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Modi said an investigation into the gold theft would be ensured and gave his personal guarantee that all those involved would be brought to justice. “The Bhagwan’s gold was looted, and the state government allowed it to happen. This has weakened mandir traditions and shaken the faith of devotees,” Modi said. He added that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Kerala, everyone involved in the gold looting would be sent to jail. “This is Modi’s guarantee,” he declared.
Launching a sharp attack on the LDF government, the Prime Minister said Kerala urgently needed a change in its political direction. He accused both the LDF and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of having taken turns to destroy the state through corruption, misgovernance and political opportunism. “The upcoming elections will change the situation and the direction of Kerala,” Modi said. “So far, you have seen only two parties in Kerala, the LDF and the UDF. Both have taken turns destroying Kerala. But there is a third force now. That is the party of development and good governance. That is the BJP.”
Modi said that while the LDF and UDF carried different flags, they pursued the same agenda. “Corruption, irresponsibility and communalism are their common traits. They know that after five or ten years, they will again return to power. Governments change, but the system does not change. Now you have to form a government that works for the people and for development,” he told the gathering.
Referring to the BJP’s recent victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, Modi said the people of the state had begun to place their trust in the party. “The people of Kerala have joined hands with us with great faith. The victory of the BJP is not ordinary. It is historic and unprecedented.
The public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram was special. The people of Kerala relate with BJP-NDA’s vision of building a Vikasita Keralam. pic.twitter.com/Rm6QxF9CoR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026
Thiruvananthapuram laid the foundation of the BJP in Kerala,” he said. In a scathing remark aimed at his political rivals, Modi said, “The Congress has become more communist than the Maoists, and more communal than the Muslim League. We must save this holy land from them.” He called for a new kind of politics in the state and appealed to voters to give the BJP a decisive mandate. “Kerala needs new politics. The BJP needs a strong popular will to create a developed Kerala in the next 25 years. Now is the time for a developed Kerala. Now is the time for an NDA government,” he said.
Enforcement Directorate steps up action
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case. The agency has begun the process of questioning the accused and registering arrests after completing a detailed examination of the documents seized during recent raids. The assets of the accused are expected to be confiscated as part of the investigation. According to official sources, prominent individuals who have not yet been caught by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) are now under the ED’s surveillance. Further verification will be conducted to confirm the information contained in the seized documents, which will be cross-checked with the records collected by the SIT.
Investigators are examining the financial transactions, assets and investments of the accused in detail. Those who are related to the accused, as well as those who conspired in the theft but were not included in the SIT probe, will be questioned. Preliminary information has already been collected on individuals who had financial dealings with the accused.
There are indications that the ED may seek information from Devaswom ministers dating back to 2019. Details of the accused’s movable and immovable assets have been compiled, and steps will be taken to freeze these properties ahead of formal seizure. Officials said the objective is to prevent the transfer of land, buildings and investments, following a pattern similar to the action taken earlier in the Karuvannur bank fraud case in Thrissur district.
