BJP has emerged as 'third force' that will replace ruling coalition, says Narendra Modi in Kerala

Thrissur: On his first visit to Kerala after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the ruling Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M), accusing them of indulging in "loot" of the state by turns during their tenure in power and hiding their "sins".

Addressing a public meeting organised by the party, he asserted that BJP has emerged as the "third force" in Kerala that will replace the two fronts in the next year's Assembly elections and transform the state's fortunes. "Unfortunately, Kerala's politics is such that two coalitions have been ruling the state and looting its people.

One coalition comes to power and loots. People get angry every five years and throw it out and another coalition comes. This cycle has been continuing so far. Both the coalitions are busy hiding each other's sins and then continue with their loot.

"Now the people of Kerala need not get angry any more. A third force has emerged in Kerala. It is like Lord Shiva's third eye, which will destroy the sins and free the state from the evils and corruption. The emergence of the third force will change Kerala's future and bring prosperity and peace in the state," Modi said.

Likening the third force to the 'third eye' of Lord Shiva in this temple town, where the famous Wadakunathar Temple for Shiva is located, he said it would destroy the "evils" of the two fronts, an apparent reference to the Congress-led UDF and CPI(M)-led Left Front.

The Prime Minister, who was on his first visit to Kerala after assuming office, was addressing a public meeting organised by his party at the Thekkinkadu ground in front of the temple where the annual world-famous Pooram festival is conducted.

Looking at the good crowd and its response, Modi said the gathering is an indication that Kerala has decided to bring a "change" by electing BJP to power in the next elections.

Referring to the dominance of the two rival fronts in Kerala for decades, Modi said in a state where social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru had fought and removed social untouchability, a climate of political untouchability is still prevalent in Kerala.

"This untouchability is carried to such lengths and those opposed to their political ideology are harassed and sometimes physically eliminated.  Their (fronts') thinking process is such," he said.

Modi said that at least over 200 BJP workers have been killed in the last 50 years just because of ideological differences. "If you see the political history of any state in India, Kerala is probably the only one where in the last 50 years BJP has suffered political vendetta and probably no other party has suffered that much like in Kerala," he said.

The Prime Minister the BJP worker in Kerala stands tall and is a shining example of commitment and perseverance to the party workers throughout the country.

"I tell BJP men everywhere to look at the dedication of BJP workers in Kerala.  There is no victory in sight, no power or positions in sight.  But they have been fighting for the nationalist cause.  After every election, the only review they used to undertake is to check whether they have retained their deposits, whether the defeat margin is bigger or smaller than the previous results," he said.

Modi arrived at Kochi Naval Base on a two-day trip to Kerala on Monday evening. The Prime Minister was received by Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Earlier, Modi tweeted: "Looking forward to visiting 'God's Own Country', the beautiful #Kerala for a 2-day visit. Will be in Thrissur, Kochi, Kollam & Varkala," Prime Minister Modi tweeted before leaving for Kochi.

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During the visit, the Prime Minister will address Combined Commanders' Conference on INS Vikramaditya tomorrow. He will also meet Sree Narayana Guru at the Sivagiri Mutt.

"Will pay respects to Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt. Who can forget Sree Narayana Guru's great contribution to education& social reform," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

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"In Thrissur I will address a @BJP4India meeting this evening. I will interact with our Karyakartas & leaders in Kerala during the meeting," he added.

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On Tuesday, he will unveil a statue of former Chief Minister R Shankar at a Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) programme in Kollam.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Government had earlier drawn flak from Congress after Kerala Chief Minister Chandy was asked to keep off the SNDP event.

The Kerala Chief Minister had, however, said that he would give a 'ceremonial welcome' to the Prime Minister to uphold democratic values.

Meanwhile, the government on Monday clarified that Prime Minister's Office has no role in excluding Chandy's name. Replying to a point raised by Congress leader K C Venugopal, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said centre does not want any confrontation with any state.

Rajnath said the Congress leader's allegation is completely baseless and without any facts. The Home minister said the socio cultural organisation Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) has unanimously passed a resolution not to invite the chief minister.