Thiruvananthapuram: In an all-out attack on the India alliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the CPM-led LDF and Congress-led UDF of staging a drama of ruling and opposition parties in Kerala for decades.
Addressing a mammoth Stree Shakthi Modikku Oppam (Women Power with Modi) meet at the Thekkinkadu maidan in Thrissur, Modi said the Left and the Congress were always one. “They are two parties only for namesake. When it comes to corruption, crime and dynastic politics, they are together. They have now made it clear that there is no difference between their ideology and policy,” he said.
The prime minister said the people of Kerala have now realised that if anyone can bring development in the state it is only BJP and NDA and not the Indi alliance. “The BJP will defeat the Indi alliance in Kerala”.
Modi said the BJP wanted fast-paced development, broad highways, modern railways and airports. However, the Indi alliance government are not allowing such development projects in Kerala only because of their opposition to Modi.
The Left and the Congress want a free hand for looting the state. Indirectly referring to the chief minister’s office, Modi said it is not hidden that gold smuggling was carried out through offices and staff.
The state does not want the Central government to seek accountability for the funds granted for infrastructure development, and the welfare of the poor. They try to create all sorts of obstacles to implementing central schemes in the state.
Accuses India alliance of turning temples and festivals into the medium of loot, Modi said the Indi alliance knew only one thing; “Indi alliance attacks our faith. They have turned our temples and festivals into a medium of loot. Unfortunately, they are playing politics with Thrissur Pooram. We also witnessed this time how Ayyappa devotees faced huge problems including lack of facilities at the Sabarimala temple as a result of the failure and inefficiency of the state government.”
On BJP’s Christian outreach programme
The prime minister said the NDA government on the other hand wants to develop the nation by giving respect to all faiths. BJP is ruling many states including those in the North East where the Christians are in the majority.
“I could host the Christian community in my official residence this Christmas. Church leaders, intellectuals and achievers of the community gave me their blessings and lauded the achievements of the government. I thank them once again,” he said.
Interestingly huge cutouts of Narendra Modi giving a warm handshake to Pope Francis were installed near the venue of the meet. A huge portrait of St Alphonsa, the first native woman saint of India, was put up on the stage.
The BJP is trying to woo the Christian community in Kerala in a big way ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Modiyude Guarantee (Modi’s Guarantee)
The prime minister said Modi’s guarantee is being discussed widely in the country today. I believe women's power is the biggest guarantee for a developed India.
Unfortunately, the LDF and UDF governments have weakened women's power over the years. When in power at the Centre the Left and Congress delayed the women's reservation bill. “Modi gave you the guarantee for representation in parliament and state legislatures and fulfilled it through the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill which has now been passed. Similarly, Muslim women faced the problem of triple talaq till the Congress and Left governments remained in power. “Modi gave the guarantee to free the Muslim women from the menace of triple talaq and implemented it honestly,” he said.
Only four important castes; Poor, Youth, Farmers and Women
At a time when the India alliance is raising the nationwide caste census issue in a big way, Modi while addressing the rally said for the BJP-led NDA government there are only four major castes; the poor, farmers, youth and women of the country. “The development of the country will happen only if these sections get the benefit of development. The beneficiaries of the BJP government’s policies are these sections of society.
He cited the Ujwala yojana, drinking water connections, toilets, bank accounts, low-cost sanitary pads, mudra loans, pregnancy leave, toilets admission for girls in Sainik schools, free medical treatment up to 5 lakh rupees, development of women in sports, cheap cooking gas, PM Awas yojana as some of Modi’s guarantees for the women of the country.
Thousands attend Modi’s roadshow
Earlier thousands of people lined up on either side of one and a half km stretch of the main road to greet the prime minister. Modi who stood on an open jeep flanked by BJP Kerala unit president K Surendran and Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi who is tipped to contest from Thrissur parliamentary seat again, waved at the crowds. People showered the prime minister with flowers and raised slogans hailing him.
On reaching the venue of the Sthree Shakti Modikku Oppam event attended by over 2 lakh women drawn from neighbouring districts, he got out of the car and walked through the gathering up to the stage amid thunderous applause. Apart from top BJP leaders, prominent personalities from various spheres were present on the stage to greet Modi. P T Usha, Malayalam actor Shobhana, Indian women cricket team member Minnu Mani, leading entrepreneur Beena Kannan, singer Vaikom Vijaylakshmi, anti-government protestor Mariakutty from Idukki shared the stage with the prime minister.
