In a major rally in Palakkad, Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized both the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF, accusing them of exploiting Kerala. He declared that the BJP-led NDA is the state’s “real winning team.”
Addressing BJP supporters, Modi asserted that the NDA would form the next government in Kerala.
“In Kerala, the BJP and NDA will form the government. With the support of the people of Kerala, we will form the government here and ensure that Kerala thrives,” he said.
Promising to fulfill Modi’s commitments to Kerala if voted into power, the PM stated that he could sense a shift in the political landscape of the state, indicating growing support for the BJP-led alliance.
“There is a change in the political atmosphere in Kerala,” he said.
Modi claimed that the NDA and BJP are gaining increasing acceptance among various sections of society.
“Now, the youth of Kerala believe in the BJP and NDA. Similarly, women in Kerala have affection for the BJP and NDA. And farmers in Kerala also support the BJP and NDA,” he said.
He launched a strong attack on both fronts, accusing them of alternating power while exploiting the state.
“There has been a clear understanding – the LDF governs for a few years and fills their pockets, and then the UDF takes over and continues the exploitation. Kerala has been trapped in this situation,” he said.
He stated that both the Left and Congress accuse each other of being the BJP’s “B-team”.
“This means that both the LDF and the UDF have admitted that in this Kerala election, the BJP is the only real winning team,” he said.
Modi said that both fronts are targeting the BJP out of fear.
“This means that if these two corrupt parties are afraid of anyone, it is the BJP. They fear the BJP because they believe that if the BJP comes to power, all their wrongdoings will be exposed,” he said.
He alleged that successive LDF and UDF governments have been involved in major scams and have failed to address them.
“If a BJP government comes to power, it will investigate every scam of the LDF and UDF and ensure justice for the people of Kerala,” he said.
Modi also claimed that the Congress and Left are allies in several states across the country but present themselves as rivals in Kerala.
“Look at Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Tamil Nadu—the Congress and Communists are together. But here in Kerala, they fight each other. People must be cautious of both,” he said.
Attacking the Left government, which has ruled the state for the past 10 years, Modi said Kerala’s public debt has crossed Rs 5 lakh crore and has increased more than threefold in the last decade.
“People are asking where this money is going. There is only one answer—it is going into the pockets of LDF leaders,” he alleged, adding that an NDA government would recover such money and use it for development.
Highlighting central assistance, Modi said Kerala has received significantly higher funds under the NDA government at the Centre compared with previous Congress-led regimes.
Reaching out to the people of Palakkad, where the party has fielded its firebrand leader Shobha Surendran, Modi highlighted the significance of the Kalpathy Temple, often compared with Kashi.
“As a Member of Parliament from Kashi, this makes it even more special for me,” he said.
Referring to development in Palakkad, Modi said the region had not seen adequate progress under previous representatives.
“As soon as the BJP government came to power at the Centre, Palakkad got Kerala’s first IIT. Railway stations are being upgraded, highways are being modernized, and a smart industrial city is being developed here,” he said.
He emphasised the NDA’s focus on women-led development and cited initiatives aimed at financial inclusion, healthcare and housing.
“To ensure greater participation of women in legislatures, we have passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Act,” he said.
Modi also referred to sexual assault allegations against the sitting MLA of Palakkad, Rahul Mamkootathil, who won the bypoll held in 2024 on a Congress ticket, and a recent similar case involving a Congress councillor.
“On the other hand, during Congress rule, you have seen that their own leaders have become a threat to women’s safety. Just yesterday, the Congress was forced to expel another of its leaders following serious allegations of exploitation of a woman. This is the reality of these parties, and the women of Kerala must remain cautious,” he said.
Recalling the previous Assembly election, he noted that the BJP had fielded ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan in Palakkad, where he finished second.
“We were saddened by that result, and so were the people of Palakkad,” he said.
He said the BJP has fielded Shobha Surendran this time and urged voters to ensure her victory.