Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday targeted both the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the ruling Left Democratic Front with aplomb as he addressed his first election rally in Kerala.
Speaking in Palakkad, Modi attacked the Pinarayi Vijayan government over the gold smuggling case, in which a key aide of Vijayan had been arrested. Modi said, "Judas betrayed Lord [Jesus] Christ for a few pieces of silver. LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold."
Arguing that politics in Kerala was seeing a major shift, Modi said, "This shift is being driven by the aspirations of the youth, specially the first-time voter in the state."
Modi accused the UDF and LDF of having a "friendly agreement". Modi said, "For many years, the worst-kept secret of Kerala politics was the friendly agreement of UDF and LDF. Now, the first-time voter of Kerala is asking: What is this match-fixing?"
Highlighting the BJP's plans for Kerala, Modi said, "The BJP’s vision for Kerala is forward looking and aspirational. That is why, the youth of the state, the professional communities across the state, are openly supporting the BJP. Across India too, this trend is being seen."
Modi accused the LDF and UDF of creating a high number of roadblocks that had made development slower. Modi said the time for "FAST" development had come in Kerala, which the BJP had promised.
As has been his practice, Modi expanded FAST to mean "F for Fisheries and Fertilizers. A for Agriculture and Ayurveda. S for Skill development and Social justice. T for Tourism and Technology."
Modi highlighted his government's commitment to farmer welfare. Modi said, "For many years, governments promised MSP hike, but it was our government that had the honour of raising the MSP for farmers."
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Modi said, "After the NDA took office at the Centre, more IITs have been built, more ITIs have been built."
Modi also highlighted the Sabarimala temple entry issue and criticised both the LDF and UDF over it. "LDF govt should be ashamed of showering lathis on innocent devotees. UDF should be ashamed of remaining silent when this was happening. I am proud to belong to a party that has, is and will always defend the culture of our land," Modi said.
Modi warned the LDF and UDF, "If you abuse our culture, we will not be silent spectators."
Modi accused the Left parties of perpetrating violence. "Left parties have been in power many times here. But their leaders still behave like junior-level goons or party leaders. Under their eyes and with their blessings, political rivals are killed, hacked, beaten," Modi said. Modi added, "So many of our young BJP Karyakartas have lost their lives. A BJP government in Kerala will stop this culture of violence."
