Thrissur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Thrissur today to address a mass gathering of 2 lakh women at the Bharatiya Janata Party's Mahila Conference. The Prime Minister will reach the Kuttanalloor by 3pm and spend about two-and-half hours in the district addressing road shows and public meetings.

Under the leadership of the BJP, a reception is being organized for the PM at Kuttanaloor near the District General Hospital. Following this, he will be part of a one-kilometer road show from Swaraj Round to Naikkanal which will begin at 3.30 pm.

Titled 'Sthree Shakthi Modikk Oppam' (Empower Women with Modi), the convention, to be held at the sprawling Thekkinkadu ground at 4.15 pm, is organised by the Kerala unit of the BJP to congratulate Modi for successfully passing the Women's Reservation Bill in both Houses of Parliament. Women from diverse backgrounds, including anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers, entrepreneurs, artists, MGNREGA and neighbourhood network workers, and social and cultural activists, are expected to participate in the event.

Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who is expected to be BJP's candidate for the Lok Sabha election from Thrissur, will also be present on the stage with Union Ministers and national leaders will line up.

Though the programme is planned as a mass meeting of women, it is viewed as the official launch of the poll campaign by the BJP for the upcoming general elections in its attempt to make political inroads in Kerala, which is currently dominated by CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF. The BJP state leadership recently made it clear that more national leaders would visit the southern state and interact with the people in the next few months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The selection of Thrissur as the venue of the mass event also assumes significance as it is one of the constituencies in which the saffron party hopes for a good show in the upcoming polls. BJP state chief K Surendran has said women from various walks of life, including prominent personalities who have made their mark in various fields, would attend the event of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Thrissur.

Traffic restrictions from 11 am
Traffic restrictions have been imposed in the Thrissur city and surrounding areas from 11.00 am on Wednesday. In view of security, vehicle parking will not be allowed in Swaraj Round, Thekinkad Maidan and the nearby roads from morning, Thrissur City Police said.

Public transport vehicles including KSRTC will not be allowed to enter the Swaraj Round and will be diverted. People going to the Thrissur railway station, Nedumbassery airport and coming to various exam centres may plan their journey accordingly.

All vehicles, including those coming to participate in the event, will be allowed to park in designated areas only. The police also informed that strict legal action will be taken against those who park vehicles on the road and obstruct the traffic. The public have been advised to avoid coming to Thrissur city in private vehicles unless there is an emergency and to cooperate with the security officials to minimise traffic congestion.

(With PTI inputs.)