Pune, March 1 Encouraged by the performance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the people of Kerala are increasingly looking at the BJP with a positive mindset, senior party leader and former Union minister Prakash Javadekar said here on Sunday.
Javadekar, the party's in-charge for the election-bound state of Kerala, claimed that there is a "shift in sentiment" among voters in the southern state, which has traditionally alternated between the Congress-led UDF and the CPM-led LDF.
"People have seen both the UDF and the LDF governments for decades. But there has been no visible development. Industries have closed down, and higher education is suffering. There are allegations of widespread corruption. Naturally, people are unhappy," he said.
In contrast, the BJP-led government at the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has created a positive perception among the people of Kerala, Javadekar asserted.
"There is a general feeling that even if they have not voted for the BJP, Modi is doing a lot for Kerala. He is working for all classes, communities, and religions. Farmers are benefiting from several central schemes," Javadekar said, adding that Modi's vision of "Developed India" would also ensure a "Developed Kerala," regardless of electoral considerations.
"Modiji has clearly stated that he will work towards Developed India and Developed Kerala, whether the BJP gets votes or not. That sincerity is being recognized by the people," Javadekar pointed out.
Claiming a steady increase in support base, Javadekar said the BJP's vote share in Kerala has increased from 2% to 20% over the years.
"Surveys by leading newspapers show that the BJP may win 10 to 20 seats. We still have 50 days before the elections, and we will be able to further change the situation," he said.
The BJP's remarkable victory in the Thiruvananthapuram municipal body has boosted the morale of party workers, and the party is poised to replicate similar results across the state, Javadekar added.