Thiruvananthapuram, March 30(BPNS)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the LDF government in has betrayed the people of the state for “a few pieces of gold”.
“Today, I have come among you to seek your blessings for the BJP in the upcoming state elections. I have come here with a vision that is refreshingly different from the current situation in Kerala. Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver. LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold,” the Prime Minister said during the public rally in Palakkad, referring to the ongoing probe into the gold smuggling scam.
The BJP’s star campaigner even alleged a secret understanding between the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF alliance in the southern state.
“For many years, the worst kept secret of Kerala politics was the friendly agreement of UDF and LDF. Now, the first time voter of Kerala is asking — what is this match-fixing? People are seeing how UDF and LDF misled them,” Modi said.
“In West Bengal, Congress and Left are one; they were partners in UPA-1 in Delhi. The Left continues to give issue-based support to the Congress but here in Kerala during elections, they level allegations against each other,” he added.
Takin aim at LDF and UDF, Modi accused both the alliance of ignoring the tourism sector in Kerala.
“Kerala and tourism have a close link. Sadly, UDF and LDF have not done much to improve tourism infrastructure. When we work towards improving connectivity and building road infrastructure, it will naturally boost tourism. In the last seven years, India has improved its position in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Rankings,” PM Modi exhorted.
Taking on UDF and LDF over ‘Bandhs’ in the state, the prime minsiter said that the high number of road-blocks by UDF and LDF has made the speed of development slower.
The time has come for FAST development in Kerala, which BJP promises, PM said, adding that
“By FAST, what I mean is…F for Fisheries and Fertilisers…A for Agriculture and Ayurveda…S for Skill development and Social justice and T for Tourism and Technology.”
‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan, who recently joined the BJP, is contesting from Palakkad. He said at the rally: “I’ve drawn up a master plan for this constituency which includes 24-hour water supply, efficient solid waste management scheme. I also want to have green cover for the area by planting 25 lakh trees in the next 5 years.
Kerala election will be held in a single phase on April 6, 2021. The Election Commission will announce the Kerala election results on May 2.
It may be noted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in the poll-bound state. The Gandhi scion has been vigorously campaigning in Kerala to make sure the United Democratic Front (UDF) is voted to power in the southern state.
