The Bharatiya Janata Party described Vande Bharat being allocated to Kerala as the Prime Minister’s ‘Vishu Kainettam’ (Vishu’s gift). It was said on behalf of the party that this is the historic moment that Kerala has been waiting for.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Kerala on April 24 for a two-day visit. During this, he will participate in many programs including flagging off the Vande Bharat Express train. The state BJP unit is busy in full preparations for the grand reception of the Prime Minister. The party shared a poster on Facebook announcing his visit, saying the “world leader” was coming to Kerala and thousands would participate in a massive roadshow in Kochi on April 24.
The party did not clarify whether the Prime Minister himself would participate in the roadshow. It was said that the Prime Minister will be accorded a grand welcome at the international airport for the flagging off of the semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express on April 25.
The BJP termed Vande Bharat being allocated to Kerala as the Prime Minister’s ‘Vishu Kainettam’ (Vishu’s gift). It was said on behalf of the party that this is the historic moment that Kerala has been waiting for. General elections are round the corner and only one year is left for it. The party’s propaganda machinery is trying its best to give maximum publicity to the unexpected allocation of semi-high speed train to the state.
BJP leaders drew parallels between Vande Bharat and the stalled Silver Line project of the state government. He claimed that the Pinarayi Vijayan government tried to bring development by evicting thousands of people, while the Modi government was doing so without causing any trouble to anyone.
Massive minority contact program
PM Modi’s visit is taking place at a time when the party is conducting a massive minority contact program here. The campaign has also received positive response from a section of clergy from different Christian denominations. A recent correspondence meeting with Christian families by party leaders and a breakfast meeting with some of the clergy of the community took place.
This is being seen as part of the BJP’s efforts to reach out to the minorities ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party believes that Modi’s visit will give momentum to its ongoing campaign and launch the party’s campaign for the general elections.
On the other hand, the Kerala government said that it cannot turn a blind eye to the concerns and protests of the people regarding the rice-eating elephant ‘Arikomban’. State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran said that the courts can only function according to law. The government has to take into account the concerns and views of the public.
He said this was one of the reasons why the forest department, for the first time in its history, formed a group of forest guards, which held meetings at 14 centers in the state and made good recommendations regarding man-animal conflict. He denied knowledge of any alternative site for Arikomban’s relocation. The minister said that wherever the elephant is taken, there would be a possibility of protests.
