BJP has suffered political untouchability in Kerala, says PM Modi

On his first visit to Kerala after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front  and the Communist Party of India-Marxist, accusing them of indulging in 'loot' of the state by turns during their tenure in power and hiding their 'sins'.

Addressing a public meeting organised by the party, he referred to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s success in the local body elections last month and asserted it has emerged as the 'third force' in Kerala that will replace the two fronts in the next year's assembly elections and transform the state's fortunes.

 "Unfortunately, Kerala's politics is such that two coalitions have been ruling the state and looting its people. One coalition comes to power and loots. People get angry every five years and throw it out and another coalition comes. This cycle has been continuing so far.  Both the coalitions are busy hiding each other's sins and then continue with their loot," the PM said.

"Now the people of Kerala need not get angry any more. A third force has emerged in Kerala. It is like Lord Shiva's third eye, which will destroy the sins and free the state from the evils and corruption. The emergence of the third force will change Kerala’s future and bring prosperity and peace in the state," Modi said.

The prime minister was addressing a public meeting organised by his party at the Thekkinkadu ground in front of the famous WadakunatharTemple for Shiva where the annual world-famous Pooram festival is conducted.

Looking at the good crowd and its response, Modi said the gathering is an indication that Kerala has decided to bring a 'change' by electing the BJP to power in the next elections.

Referring to the dominance of the two rival fronts in Kerala for decades, Modi said in a state where social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru had fought and removed social untouchability, a climate of political untouchability is still prevalent in Kerala.

"This untouchability is carried to such lengths and those opposed to their political ideology are harassed and sometimes physically eliminated.  Their (fronts’) thinking process is such," he said.

Modi said that at least over 200 BJP workers have been killed in the last 50 years just because of ideological differences.

"If you see the political history of any state in India, Kerala is probably the only one where in the last 50 years the BJP has suffered political vendetta and probably no other party has suffered that much like in Kerala," he said.

The prime minister said the BJP worker in Kerala stands tall and is a shining example of commitment and perseverance to the party workers throughout the country.

"I tell the BJP men everywhere to look at the dedication of BJP workers in Kerala. There is no victory in sight, no power or positions in sight.  But they have been fighting for the nationalist cause.  After every election, the only review they used to undertake is to check whether they have retained their deposits, whether the defeat margin is bigger or smaller than the previous results," he said.

Modi said the government will soon come out with a scheme for the welfare of fishermen, bringing in new technology to help transform their lives.

"We want the lives of our fishermen to be transformed. Fishing industry must become modern and exports must increase," he said, sharing the initiatives of his government for the rubber industry and efforts to bring a positive difference in fishermen’s lives.

During his speech, he talked about Make-in-India, Digital India, MUDRA bank, Start-Up India and other key initiatives that will transform the lives of Kerala's youth.

He said a large number of Kerala's youth have benefited from MUDRA Bank scheme, while 'Make-in-India' was aimed at encouraging investment which would create jobs for youth.

The prime minister said recent economic indicators were extremely encouraging and Kerala's youth are innovative and talented and the Centre is working on ensuring that loans are available to youth for study, skill development and entrepreneurship.

He said the 'Make in India' initiative aims at helping rubber industry and improve the lives of those associated with it.

"The youth of Kerala are very intelligent and talented. Their innovative zeal can enrich the nation. Our Make in India initiative is all about bringing investment to India and creating opportunities for our people," he said.

"We are putting immense resources for the optical fibre network as a part of Digital India Initiative. Our youth must be able to receive loans from banks so they can study. This was never a priority but we have given it importance," he said.

Modi also said that it is vital for the poorest of the poor to get houses and his government has undertaken efforts in that direction.

He also talked about bringing many Indians back from war-torn Yemen and West Asia, many of whom are from Kerala.

"Women from Kerala worked abroad as nurses. Terrorists captured them and we all were concerned. We were able to get them back home safely," the prime minister said while recalling his visit to the United Arab Emirates where he met Indian workers and interacted with people from Kerala.

Modi also lauded the BJP workers Karyakartas in Kerala, saying 'time and again, I have lauded their patience and selfless service to the nation' as they have worked hard for the organisation without any lure of power or position.

The PM was greeted enthusiastically by waiting crowd as he arrived from Kochi. He said he actually wanted to begin his Kerala visit with darshan at the Sabarimala, but eventually told his team that the visit should be organised only at a time when it causes minimum inconvenience to pilgrims.

Opening his address with an apology, the prime minister said he should have visited Kerala much earlier.

"I have to apologise to Kerala that I have come late. I should have come to Kerala much earlier," Modi said adding, "I assure you that this will not happen again."

Narrating the achievements of the one year-old National Democratic Alliance government, he said the government had succeeded in positioning India as a strong nation and has been able to ensure protection to its people, especially in the conflict zones like West Asia.

Modi said his dream was to ensure that by 2022 when India celebrates 75 years of Independence, ‘every one will have their own house with facilities like toilet, power and there would enough schools and hospitals’.

Rejecting the Congress' criticism that the NDA government was for big corporates, Modi said this government considers small traders and industries as the backbone of nation's economy and would ensure their well being.

Referring to the financial crisis faced by rubber growers in Kerala due to fall in prices, Modi said Centre had already restricted import and increased import duty.

Modi also said to help rubber farmers, rubber would be included in the ‘Make in India’ programme.

In this regard, Modi said in the last one year, there has been a 40 per cent growth in foreign direct investment in the country and 'this is due to the faith other nation's have towards India and its youth'.

On country's growth, Modi said after the NDA took office, the industrial production, which was minus 2 per cent, had gone up to 9.08 per cent. The manufacturing sector had witnessed a 10.6 per cent growth.

Image: PM Modi speaks at a rally in Thrissur, Kerala. Photograph: ANI