‘Continuity vital for governance’
There are politicians who rise through visibility, and there are those shaped quietly by the systems they later inherit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that a Bharatiya Janata Party-led government was on its way in Kerala. Addressing a public gathering in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, Modi said change was on the horizon and “the change that has long been overdue is finally on its way”.
Starting his speech at the public meeting after earlier launching developmental projects in Kerala, PM Modi said he can see a great deal of energy and enthusiasm in the gathering, and a renewed sense of hope in the air. Modi thanked the BJP workers in Kerala for their tireless efforts, stating that it was an emotional moment for him.
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Expressing special gratitude to the people of Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP recently won the municipal elections and got its first mayor elected, the PM drew an analogy with Gujarat, where its unprecedented electoral success began in 1987 with its first victory in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation election.
“Prior to 1987, the BJP was a marginal party in Gujarat. In 1987, for the first time, the BJP won control of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation — much like the party’s recent victory in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, the people of Gujarat have entrusted us with opportunities to serve, and we have continued to do so for decades.
“Our journey began in one city in Gujarat, and similarly, in Kerala, our beginnings have started with a single city. I believe this demonstrates that the people of Kerala are beginning to place their trust in the BJP, connecting with us in the same way Gujarat once did,” the PM said, expressing hope that the recent win in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation election will mark the beginning of the BJP rule in Kerala.
The PM slammed the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which have ruled the southern state for the last few decades, stating that both alliances have neglected Thiruvananthapuram.
They have deprived the city of basic facilities and infrastructure, the PM alleged, adding the Left and the Congress have consistently failed to address the needs of the state’s people. However, the BJP team has already begun working towards a developed Thiruvananthapuram, he stated.
“To the people of this city, I say: have faith – the change that has long been overdue is finally on its way,” said the PM, drawing applause from the crowd. He further said that Thiruvananthapuram will become a model city for the entire country under BJP rule.
“When considering the future of Kerala in the upcoming elections, the political landscape is divided into just two predominant sides: the LDF and the UDF. Over the years, both groups have taken turns governing the state, contributing to Kerala’s current challenges. However, there is a third alternative — one that prioritises development and good governance — represented by the BJP and NDA,” Modi said.
“The LDF is hindering Kerala’s progress by opposing Central government initiatives,” said Modi, hitting out at CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s government in the state.
“Neither the LDF nor the Congress has focused on infrastructure development; instead, their tenure has been marked by corruption. In contrast, the BJP is committed to creating employment opportunities by building critical infrastructure. Thanks to the efforts of the BJP, Kerala’s entire rail network has been electrified. Today, three Vande Bharat trains are already operating in the state, and just a few hours ago, the Amrit Bharat Express was also launched in Kerala,” the PM said, mentioning the initiatives launched by him a shortwhile earlier in a separate programme in the presence of the state CM and Governor.
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