Kozhikode: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed “fake NGOs' and activists” who interfere in the traditions of the land - without mentioning Sabarimala – clearly indicating that the BJP would keep the Sabarimala agitation as a key poll plank.
The prime minister said that the BJP would not let anyone destroy tradition, in an apparent reference to Sabarimala.
Without mentioning the hill shrine of Sabarimala, he reiterated that “BJP stands with Kerala, BJP stands with our faith”.
Addressing the Vijay Sankalp rally attended by lakhs of party workers,
Modi also blamed the LDF and the UDF for their vote bank politics when the NDA was engaged in wiping out terror.
“Here in Kerala, Congress and Communists have given a free pass to extremist organisations that are spreading hate and radicalisation among youngsters. It is important, to teach such elements a strong lesson through the vote. Friends, we are working to boost tourism in Kerala and the rest of the nation. Tourist arrivals have increased by almost 45% ever since we took office,” he said.
“The e-visa facility in over 166 nations has become a game changer. When tourists increase, local guys earn, shops earn, fruit shops earn and tea sellers also earn,” he said.
“And I would like to emphasise that terrorism divides, tourism unites,” the prime minister said.
Our opposition leaders are heroes in Pakistan, he said.
The prime minister introduced NDA's candidates in Malabar including Thushar Vellapalli, who is taking on Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad.
“Both the LDF and the UDF have taken Kerala for granted, and if given a chance to the BJP, we shall provide you a government you deserve,” he said.
Modi, who arrived here after addressing campaign meetings at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra and Gangavathi in northern Karnataka during the day, said the UDF and the LDF are different only in name, but not in deeds.
"BJP Karyakarthas have been attacked and killed in Kerala for serving the people," Modi said.
Condemning the violent politics of the Communists and corruption of the Congress, he talked about specific issues of Malabar – the strike of workers in Kozhikode's Comtrust and closure of Gwalior Rayons, as well as ice-cream and solar scandals.
The prime minister wondered how the UDF can assure women's empowerment, when they could not ensure justice to victims in solar and ice-cream cases.
The prime minister recollected his last visit to Kozhikode and assured the people that his party and government would stay with them in all difficulties.
Former BJP state president V Muraleedharan translated his speech to Malayalam.
NDA's Kozhikode candidate advocate K P Prakash Babu and Poonjar MLA PC George, who recently joined NDA, received thunderous applauses when they spoke.
George predicted victory of the NDA in Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram seats.
Vadakara candidate V K Sajeevan openly declared that 'the voters are going to make a garland for Ayyappa Swamy', despite an Election Commission directive not to mention Sabarimala during campaign. At the background of the stage also, videos showing Sabarimala protests were screened in the beginning.
This is prime minister's first election rally in Kerala, that will go to the polls in the third phase on April 23.
Modi is expected to come to the state once more before the April 23 elections.