Modi slams Kerala govt over Sabarimala row, second time in a month

He had opened the much-awaited Kollam bypass on National Highway-66 here on January 15

Thrissur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday lashed out at the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala and said the Sabarimala issue had shown to the people of the country how the communist government was trying to disrespect the culture of the state.

He said the opposition parties could abuse him as much as they wanted but should not mislead farmers.

The prime minister said the opposition should not create hurdles in opportunities for the youth.

"Sabarimala got the attention of the entire nation. The people of India have seen how the communist government was trying to disrespect the culture of Kerala. Why is the government undermining the culture of the state? Unfortunately, the cultural ethos of Kerala is under attack. It's been done by a party which is governing the state," Modi told a huge gathering at a Yuva Morcha meet here.

Modi said his government had made efforts to make all kitchens in the country smoke free.

"When we came to power, we made efforts to make all kitchens smoke free. At that time, only 55 per cent of houses had gas connections. But today we have achieved 90 per cent," he said.

The prime minister also termed as the 'biggest joke,' the Congress and Left parties talking about democracy.

Dubbing the opposition as a "corrupt house", Modi said in the last four years, people in Delhi have made him a "chowkidhar".

"As long as I am there in Delhi, I will not allow any kind of corruption and will not allow the nation's unity and integrity to be destroyed," said Modi.

"My friends in the opposition are bankrupt when it comes to development of the nation. All they have is hatred against Modi. Their day begins by abusing Modi and ends by again abusing Modi. All I wish to tell them is 'you may abuse me, but please don't mislead the farmers, youth and the poor' and don't destroy the great nation and its progress," said Modi.

"The opposition is destroying agencies like the CBI, armed forces, police, CAG and even the Election Commission as all these organisations are wrong for them, while they (Congress) are right.

"Recently, the entire nation was amused to watch a press meet on foreign soil which was one that hit badly at the democratic ethos of our country, when the Election Commission came under attack. Seen was a 'top-most leader'. They even undermine our nation on foreign soil," said Modi and added that the Congress party will have to answer for this.

"Elections will come and go, but the nation will always be here. The opposition should stop disrespecting institutions," added Modi.

Modi reached Kerala for a one-day visit on Sunday. He landed in Kochi around 2pm and proceeded to Rajagiri College ground in Kakkanad.

Modi unveiled an integrated Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) refinery expansion complex in Kochi. He laid the foundation stone of the complex, which is a complete 'Make in India' initiative aimed at reducing dependence on imports.

This is Modi' second visit to Kerala in a month.

He had opened the much-awaited Kollam bypass on National Highway-66 here on January 15. Later addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Kollam, Modi had said the conduct of Kerala's CPI(M)-led LDF government on the Sabarimala issue would go down in the history as one of the "most shameful behaviours by any party and government".

The BJP and other right-wing groups have been on a warpath ever since the LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter the temple.

Modi in TN

Earlier in the day, Modi also laid the foundation stone for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He also inaugurated the super speciality blocks of Rajaji Medical College (Madurai), Thanjavur Medical College (Thanjavur) and Tirunelveli Medical College (Tirunelveli) as a part of upgradation projects of government medical colleges.