PM Modi Leads Massive Roadshow In Kerala, Signalling BJP’s Key Focus For Upcoming Polls

With a massive roadshow in this port city on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the BJP’s significant focus on the opposition-dominated Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This is the second time the party has held such an event in the state, where the party has not fared well in the previous polls.

On both sides of the 1.3 km road, thousands of BJP members and supporters gathered to greet the Prime Minister, who arrived in the city on Wednesday for private, public, and party events in the districts of Thrissur and Ernakulam.

Starting at the KPCC intersection at 7:45 p.m., the open car with Modi and BJP state president K Surendran drove slowly, drawing attention from party supporters who threw flowers and shouted slogans.

The procession covered a distance of 1.3 kilometers in roughly 25 minutes.

After meeting with a warm reception during the roadshow, Modi shared photos of the welcoming crowd in the southern state on social media platform X along with the message, “Humbled by the affection in Kochi.” Sharing a few glimpses.

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The 1.3-kilometer roadshow route from the KPCC junction here to the Ernakulam government guest house, where he was scheduled to stay, was crowded on both sides with thousands of people. Enthusiastic BJP supporters bearing party flags, garlands, and flowers were among them.

The Prime Minister’s arrival was anticipated by large crowds, which led to a joyous atmosphere along the roadshow’s path.

Dressed in a waistcoat and a saffron Nehru cap emblazoned with lotus symbols, Modi rode in an open car and waved both hands to the enthusiastic crowd on either side of the brightly lit route.

People of all ages showered flowers on the PM along the route, and he threw flowers at the fervent supporters numerous times.

‘Modi-Modi’ was cheered on by BJP workers and supporters who were lined up on both sides of the road, carrying party flags, party hats or caps, and holding placards with Modi’s photo.

Around 8:15 p.m., the slowly approaching vehicle arrived at the Ernakulam government guest house, ending the roadshow.

A thick security net encircled the entire route, and thousands of police officers were stationed to protect Modi.

Since Tuesday afternoon, there have been traffic restrictions in the port city, particularly along the roadshow route.

Modi’s visit to the Guruvayoor temple on Wednesday to attend the marriage of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi’s daughter demonstrates the importance the BJP national leadership places on the Thrissur seat, which is currently held by Congressman T N Prathapan.

The BJP strengthened its voter base in Thrissur during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the candidacy of Suresh Gopi.

In the southern state, where power has consistently been held by the Congress-led UDF or the CPI(M)-led LDF, the saffron party has not been able to make much electoral progress despite sincere efforts since the 1980s.

The BJP is taking advantage of the Prime Minister’s rising popularity in Kerala to end their losing streak in elections in the southern state.
In an attempt to garner support for their cause in the impending Lok Sabha elections, they recently staged a sizable roadshow and a sizable gathering of women in Thrissur at the beginning of January.

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The PM was greeted warmly earlier on Tuesday by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan upon his arrival at the Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery at 6:50 p.m. in a specially-designed Indian Air Force aircraft.

After that, at 7:00 p.m., he took a helicopter to the airport at the INS Garuda Naval Base.

According to party sources, Modi will travel to Guruvayur on Wednesday at 6.30 am. There, he will attend the marriage of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi’s daughter and offer prayers at the well-known Lord Krishna temple.

According to the sources, he will also pray at the Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple in the Thrissur district before leaving for Kochi.

He will dedicate the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. international vessel repair center and a new dry dock to the nation on Kochi’s Willingdon Island, they said.

He will then speak at a party meeting at Marine Drive here at 11 a.m. to approximately 6,000 heads of “shakti kendras,” which are areas that are two to three booths in size.

The sources said he would be back in Delhi by evening.

Source: PTI