Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge public rally in Palakkad on Tuesday (March 30), ahead of the crucial assembly elections in Kerala.
PM Modi asserted that Bharatiya Janata Party will put an end to the political violence which has become a regular during Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front rule in Kerala.
PM Modi said that Left parties have been in power here many times, and despite that their leaders still behave like street goons. Political rivals are killed, hacked and beaten on a regular basis. A BJP Government in Kerala will stop this cycle of violence.
He also hit out at the LDF and UDF, accusing them of being ashamed of the rich and varied culture of India. He reminded the audience that UDF was silent while LDF government showered lathis on devotees during the Sabarimala agitation. Thousands of devotees were imprisoned during the agitation to protect the sanctity of the Sabarimala shrine.
Addressing the farmers’ issue, he added that only BJP government had raised Minimum Support Price as promised. He said that the BJP government is implementing many steps for the growth of agriculture and the welfare of farmers. For many years, governments in the past promised MSP hikes, but it was BJP government that had the honour of raising the MSP for farmers.
PM Modi coined a new term for the FAST development for Kerala. The acronym stands for F for fisheries and fertilisers, A for agriculture and Ayurveda, S for skill development and social justice and T for tourism and technology. Prime Minister Modi added that he aims to set up a separate ministry for fisheries after winning the polls and said the government is working to give Kisan Credit cards to fishermen.
PM Modi said that the time has come for FAST development in Kerala – F for fisheries and fertilisers, A for agriculture and Ayurveda, S for skill development and social justice and T for tourism and technology.
He highlighted the importance of Tourism for Kerala and pointed out that both LDF and UDF governments have slowed the pace of development in the state, and created numeorous roadblocks for entrepreneurs.
He said, Kerala and tourism have an umblical link, but neither LDF and UDF have not done much to improve tourism infrastructure in the state. PM Modi wanted technology to serve as a basis for growth. He made sure to laud the services of ‘Metroman’ Sreedharan, the BJP candidate in Palakkad. He said that Sreedharan has devoted himself to Kerala’s progress. As a true son of Kerala, Sreedharan thought beyond power, stood firm on his commitment to the country.
Elections for the 140-member Kerala assembly will be held in a single phase on April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2 along with West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
