NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday placed significant emphasis on Kerala, a state dominated by the opposition, during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In a move to garner support, he conducted a massive roadshow in the port city, marking the second such event in the state where the party has previously not found success. Thousands of BJP workers and local residents lined the 1.3 km road to welcome the Prime Minister, who visited the city for private, public, and party functions in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
Starting from the KPCC junction at 7:45 pm, Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by BJP state president K Surendran, traveled in an open vehicle at a slow pace, captivating party workers who showered flowers and chanted slogans.
The roadshow covered a distance of 1.3 km in approximately 25 minutes. Following the warm welcome he received, Modi took to social media to express his gratitude. He shared photographs of the enthusiastic public response to his arrival in the southern state, saying, “Humbled by the affection in Kochi. Sharing some glimpses.”
The roadshow route was filled with thousands of people, including avid BJP supporters carrying flowers, garlands, and party flags. The crowds gathered hours ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival, creating a festive atmosphere.
PM Modi, dressed in a waistcoat and a saffron Nehru cap with lotus symbols, rode in an open vehicle, waving both hands at the cheering crowd on both sides of the brightly lit route. He was showered with flowers by people of all age groups and reciprocated the excitement by throwing flowers at the ardent supporters.
Enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters, wearing party hats or caps and holding placards with Modi’s photograph, lined up on both sides of the road, chanting ‘Modi-Modi’.
The roadshow concluded when the vehicle reached the Ernakulam government guest house around 8:15 pm. The entire route was under tight security, with thousands of police personnel deployed to ensure Modi’s safety. Traffic restrictions were in place in the port city, especially along the roadshow route, since Tuesday afternoon.
This visit by Modi, to attend the marriage of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi‘s daughter at the Guruvayoor temple on Wednesday, highlights the significance the BJP national leadership places on the Thrissur seat, currently represented by Congress leader T N Prathapan.
The BJP made significant progress in Thrissur during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the candidacy of Suresh Gopi. Despite their efforts since the 1980s, the saffron party has struggled to make electoral progress in the southern state, which has consistently been held by the CPM-led LDF or the Congress-led UDF. To break this streak, the BJP is capitalizing on the growing popularity of the Prime Minister in Kerala.
They recently held a big roadshow and a large gathering of women in Thrissur in early January as part of their efforts to gain votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome from Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan upon his arrival at the Cochin International Airport.
On Wednesday, he will visit the famous Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayur, offer prayers, and attend the marriage of Suresh Gopi’s daughter. He will also offer prayers at the Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple in Thrissur district before returning to Kochi.
In Kochi, he will dedicate the Cochin Shipyard Ltd international vessel repairing center and a new dry dock on Willingdon Island. Additionally, he will address a party meeting of around 6,000 in-charges of ‘shakti kendras’ at Marine Drive. He is expected to return to Delhi later in the evening.
(With inputs from PTI)
In a move to garner support, he conducted a massive roadshow in the port city, marking the second such event in the state where the party has previously not found success. Thousands of BJP workers and local residents lined the 1.3 km road to welcome the Prime Minister, who visited the city for private, public, and party functions in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
Starting from the KPCC junction at 7:45 pm, Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by BJP state president K Surendran, traveled in an open vehicle at a slow pace, captivating party workers who showered flowers and chanted slogans.
The roadshow covered a distance of 1.3 km in approximately 25 minutes. Following the warm welcome he received, Modi took to social media to express his gratitude. He shared photographs of the enthusiastic public response to his arrival in the southern state, saying, “Humbled by the affection in Kochi. Sharing some glimpses.”
The roadshow route was filled with thousands of people, including avid BJP supporters carrying flowers, garlands, and party flags. The crowds gathered hours ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival, creating a festive atmosphere.
PM Modi, dressed in a waistcoat and a saffron Nehru cap with lotus symbols, rode in an open vehicle, waving both hands at the cheering crowd on both sides of the brightly lit route. He was showered with flowers by people of all age groups and reciprocated the excitement by throwing flowers at the ardent supporters.
Enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters, wearing party hats or caps and holding placards with Modi’s photograph, lined up on both sides of the road, chanting ‘Modi-Modi’.
The roadshow concluded when the vehicle reached the Ernakulam government guest house around 8:15 pm. The entire route was under tight security, with thousands of police personnel deployed to ensure Modi’s safety. Traffic restrictions were in place in the port city, especially along the roadshow route, since Tuesday afternoon.
This visit by Modi, to attend the marriage of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi‘s daughter at the Guruvayoor temple on Wednesday, highlights the significance the BJP national leadership places on the Thrissur seat, currently represented by Congress leader T N Prathapan.
The BJP made significant progress in Thrissur during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the candidacy of Suresh Gopi. Despite their efforts since the 1980s, the saffron party has struggled to make electoral progress in the southern state, which has consistently been held by the CPM-led LDF or the Congress-led UDF. To break this streak, the BJP is capitalizing on the growing popularity of the Prime Minister in Kerala.
They recently held a big roadshow and a large gathering of women in Thrissur in early January as part of their efforts to gain votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome from Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan upon his arrival at the Cochin International Airport.
On Wednesday, he will visit the famous Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayur, offer prayers, and attend the marriage of Suresh Gopi’s daughter. He will also offer prayers at the Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple in Thrissur district before returning to Kochi.
In Kochi, he will dedicate the Cochin Shipyard Ltd international vessel repairing center and a new dry dock on Willingdon Island. Additionally, he will address a party meeting of around 6,000 in-charges of ‘shakti kendras’ at Marine Drive. He is expected to return to Delhi later in the evening.
(With inputs from PTI)
