Thrissur (Kerala), March 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-energy roadshow in Thrissur on Sunday as part of the NDA’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections, drawing thousands of people and turning the event into a vibrant cultural spectacle.
The roadshow began near the District Hospital on Swaraj Round, and proceeded through the heart of the city before culminating near the Bini Heritage hotel here, covering approximately 900 meters.
The massive roadshow virtually transformed the cultural capital of Kerala into a sea of party flags, cheering supporters, and curious onlookers.
Party sources estimated the turnout to be around 50,000.
People gathered on both sides of the route hours in advance, braving the evening heat, waving, chanting slogans, and capturing the moments on their mobile phones as the Prime Minister greeted them from a decorated open vehicle.
Prominent NDA candidates in the Thrissur district, including Padmaja Venugopal and K K Anish Kumar, also participated in the roadshow along with the Prime Minister.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi, who represents the Thrissur constituency in the Lok Sabha, was also present in the open vehicle with Modi.
Dressed in traditional attire and a saffron cap, the Prime Minister waved at the enthusiastic crowd who showered him with flowers.
A large number of women and children were among the onlookers who waited on the roadside for hours to catch a glimpse of Modi.
The roadshow route resembled a moving cultural pageant, with artists performing traditional art forms including Kummatti Kali, the famous Pulikali with its tiger-painted dancers, the graceful Margamkali, a traditional Syrian Christian artform, and the classical grandeur of Kathakali.
The performances, held on specially erected podiums on the roadside amidst the crowd, drew applause and added to the carnival-like atmosphere.
Earlier, Modi arrived at the Kuttanellur helipad, where he was received by senior BJP-NDA leaders.
Later, he travelled by road to the starting point of the roadshow.
He came to Thrissur after attending a public rally in the neighboring Palakkad district.
The massive event is part of the BJP-led NDA’s intensified election campaign in Kerala, where the alliance seeks to end its electoral drought in a state long dominated by the LDF and UDF.
Ahead of the April 9 assembly polls, the coalition is attempting to expand its footprint by combining high-decibel political outreach with local cultural connections.