On Easter Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Christian community, requesting their support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming April 9 elections in Kerala.
Shah also referred to the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala and stated that those responsible would be jailed within two months if the NDA forms a government in Kerala.
He also mentioned that Kerala would get its first AIIMS, which would be operational within two years of the NDA government coming to power.
Shah criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him a "liar," and also took a dig at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, claiming that the Marxist leader was manipulating centrally sponsored schemes and projects to gain credit.
Shah appealed to the Christian community to support the NDA and help form a prosperous Kerala.
"I appeal to my brothers and sisters in the Christian community to stand with the NDA and help form a prosperous Kerala," he said.
This appeal comes amid concerns raised by the Christian community regarding the recent amendments proposed by the Centre in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
Shah further stated that the NDA's stance is "justice for all and appeasement of none," and this is evident in their work across India.
Shah also claimed that when the Popular Front of India (PFI) allegedly started anti-India activities, "within one day, we put all their members behind bars."
He also stated that when the LDF and UDF "remained silent" while the Waqf Board tried to take over the land of 600 residents in Ernakulam district, it was the NDA government that introduced amendments to the Waqf Act to protect their property.
Shah accused the LDF and UDF of being "two-faced parties" that contest together in elections outside Kerala but fight each other in the southern state.
He said that both Rahul Gandhi and Vijayan refer to each other's parties as the 'B-team' of the BJP.
"I would like to tell Vijayan that the BJP will be the 'A-team' in Kerala and you will be the 'B-team'," he said.
Shah also criticized Vijayan's alleged startup to rename centrally sponsored schemes and projects.
"Modi sends the project and money, and Vijayan adds his name to it," he alleged.
He said that when the Centre gives 5 kilograms of rice to every poor person in Kerala, "it is distributed in Left-branded bags."
"The NH-66 project is being built at 100 per cent cost of the Centre, but posters of Vijayan are put all along the highway," Shah contended.
He said that Rs 600 crore was allocated for the National Health Mission by the Centre, but the Left government allegedly shut it down because they could not add their photo to it.
"This will not work anymore, as the people know that it is the Modi government that is doing all the work," he contended.
Shah attacked Rahul and called him a "liar," saying he was lying about the rise in fuel prices in India.
"Rahul baba, what you said about the rise in fuel prices is correct. It has reached Rs 460 per litre, but not in Kerala or India. Modi has not increased the price of petrol in Pakistan as you claimed. Modi cannot do that," he said.
The Home Minister said that globally, fuel prices have increased, leading to governments rationing, implementing work-from-home policies, or declaring three-day holidays.
"But in India, prices have not increased, and there is no rationing. This is Narendra Modi's management," he asserted.
Shah further claimed that Rahul made statements about the West Asia conflict and the Gulf nations in a way that would anger India.
"I would like to tell him (Rahul) that you are not going to win the elections anyway, so you should think about the future of the over one crore Indians working and living in the Gulf region. Don't spread so many lies," he said.
He also referred to the AI summit held in Delhi and the alleged incident of Congress activists taking off their clothes in protest at the event, and said that Rahul had supported this act, which could hamper employment opportunities for the youth.
"While the PM is trying to create employment opportunities through such summits, Rahul Gandhi is trying to destroy the future of the youth of the country by his actions. I have never seen such shamelessness," he said.
Shah also emphasized that the upcoming Kerala assembly elections are not just about changing the government, but about improving and securing the state's future.
He noted that the NDA's vote share in Kerala has increased since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and claimed that it is time for a government led by the BJP in the state.