Ernakulam: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kunnathunadu assembly constituency to energise the NDA camp ahead of the April 9 elections, addressing a public meeting at St. Peter’s College Ground in Kolenchery as part of the campaign for NDA candidate Babu Divakaran. He began his speech by extending Easter greetings to the gathering.
Election framed as crucial for Keralam’s future
Framing the April 9 elections as decisive for Keralam’s future, Shah launched a sharp attack on both the LDF and the UDF, accusing them of corruption and misgovernance under different guises. He asserted that Keralam needed a change in direction and called for the Narendra Modi-led NDA government to be brought to power in the state.
Highlighting migration concerns, Shah said that students from Keralam,once known for achieving full literacy, are now leaving the state in search of better opportunities, and claimed that the NDA would reverse this trend. He further argued that both the CPI(M) and the Congress were in decline nationally, pointing to the NDA’s growing electoral footprint. He noted that the NDA’s vote share in the Lok Sabha elections had risen from 14 percent in 2014 to 20 percent in 2024, attributing this growth to increasing awareness against what he described as the corruption of both the LDF and UDF fronts.
Development claims and allegations against state government
Shah outlined a series of development initiatives undertaken by the central government, stating that projects worth Rs 2000 crore had been planned for Kochi. He also mentioned that Rs 275 crore had been sanctioned for the second phase of the Kochi Metro. Turning to law and order issues, Shah said the central government had demonstrated its intent to act firmly against extremist organisations, including banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and taking action against its leaders. He referred to a past controversy involving 400 acres of land targeted by the Waqf Board and claimed that when 600 Christian families lost their homes, neither the Left nor the UDF spoke out.
He described the LDF and UDF as two sides of the same coin, alleging that while they appear as rivals in Keralam, they are aligned outside the state. Shah also accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of rebranding central government projects and diverting funds, describing it as a “name-changing” exercise.
Welfare promises and political attacks
Shah accused both fronts of misleading the public and claimed that central government schemes, including the distribution of rice, were being credited to the state government. He cited the Life Mission project as an example, alleging misuse and misrepresentation. Referring to the Sabarimala gold theft issue, Shah said that those responsible should be jailed and asserted that if the NDA is voted to power on April 9, all those involved would be imprisoned within two months following a CBI investigation.
He also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading misinformation about fuel prices in Keralam. Shah remarked that price rises were being seen in countries like Pakistan and argued that such increases were not occurring in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He added that global conflicts often lead to fuel and food shortages in many countries, but claimed that India had remained stable under the current government. Shah also cautioned against political campaigns that could adversely affect Indians working in Gulf countries.
In a sharp critique of Congress, he referred to protests held during the AI World Conference in Delhi and questioned the relevance of the party in contemporary politics. Outlining the NDA’s electoral promises, Shah said that if voted to power, the government would transfer Rs 2,500 directly into the accounts of women. He added that the manifesto also promises two free LPG cylinders per year. He reiterated that a CBI probe into the Sabarimala gold robbery would be conducted and the culprits jailed. Additionally, he said that Thrissur would be developed into a cultural capital and hub under an NDA government. At the event, Twenty-20 head Sabu M. Jacob presented Amit Shah with a painting of Jesus, symbolising upliftment, marking a ceremonial conclusion to the gathering.
