Modi, Shah, Yogi, Scindia, Smriti: BJP to deploy big guns for Kerala campaign

As part of its effort to make an impact in Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is bringing all its stalwarts to the state for campaigning in the coming Assembly polls.

Hoping to increase its vote share substantially and win as many seats as possible, the party's top national leaders, including the trio of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, would be part of the campaigning.

Amit Shah and Adityanath would attend the state-wide rally of Kerala BJP president K. Surendran. They won't be making just token appearances, but would be part of the rally for a few days.

Adityanath is set to inaugurate the rally on February 21. He will accompany Surendran in the rally for some days. The rally inauguration was postponed by a day to suit the schedule of Adityanath, known for his fiery speeches.

Amit Shah is set to visit as Adityanath returns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the public rally to be held in the Kerala capital to mark the culmination of Surendran's rally, named Vijay Yathra. Modi’s participation is yet to be finalised.

Even Jyotiraditya Scindia, the ex-Congress leader who joined the BJP, too could be arriving for the campaigning. He too is likely to hit the road with Surendran for a few days.

Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister Smriti Irani are also expected to take part in the rally.

The state leadership had earlier conveyed to the party national leadership the names of central leaders preferred for campaigning in the state.

Kerala state election is likely to be held in April.

(This article was first published in onmanorama)