Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation as historic, claiming it signalled the end of what he termed decades of neglect by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), and marked the beginning of a new phase of development and governance in Kerala’s capital.
Addressing a public gathering in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister accused both political fronts of corruption and mismanagement, asserting that their alternating rule had failed to address fundamental challenges faced by the State.
“Both the LDF and UDF have driven Kerala into a cycle of corruption, mismanagement and appeasement politics. Though they use different flags and symbols, their political approach is almost identical—rampant corruption, lack of accountability and neglect of core issues,” PM Modi said.
He alleged that Thiruvananthapuram had long been deprived of basic infrastructure and civic facilities and said the BJP-led municipal administration had begun efforts to transform the city.
“For decades, both fronts neglected Thiruvananthapuram. Our team has already started working towards a developed city. The change that has long been overdue is finally on its way,” he said.
Drawing parallels with Gujarat, PM Modi said the BJP’s rise in Kerala resembled its early political journey in his home State.
“Before 1987, the BJP was a marginal party in Gujarat. In 1987, we won the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for the first time. Our journey began in one city, and similarly, in Kerala, our beginnings have started with Thiruvananthapuram,” he said.
Projecting the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as an alternative to the LDF and UDF, he said Kerala’s political landscape had long been dominated by two fronts whose governance had left persistent challenges unresolved.
“There is now a third alternative that prioritises development and good governance,” he said.
The Prime Minister also accused the LDF government of harming the traditions of the Sabarimala Temple and promised a comprehensive investigation into the alleged gold theft case if the BJP came to power in Kerala.
“The entire country has faith in Lord Ayyappa. The LDF government has damaged the traditions of Sabarimala. Reports of gold theft have emerged. If a BJP government is formed, there will be a thorough investigation and the culprits will be punished,” he said.
The Sabarimala case relates to allegations of misappropriation of about 4.54 kg of gold from temple artefacts during refinishing work in 2019. The controversy traces back to a 1998 donation of gold and copper by industrialist Vijay Mallya, with subsequent inspections revealing discrepancies in the use of the donated material.
PM Modi also alleged that corruption under the LDF government had affected Kerala’s development and financial institutions, referring to cooperative bank-related cases.
“Corruption has hampered development in Kerala. The hard-earned money of the poor and middle class has been looted. Give BJP an opportunity, and we will recover every rupee,” he said.
The Prime Minister described the BJP’s win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as a milestone in Kerala’s political landscape.
“This victory is historic and unprecedented. It lays the foundation for the BJP in Kerala and reflects the people’s aspiration for good governance and development,” he said.
BJP leader VV Rajesh was elected Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on December 26, marking the party’s first-ever control of a municipal corporation in Kerala. He secured 51 votes, while UDF candidate KS Sabarinathan received 17 votes and LDF candidate RP Shivaji got 29. GS Asha Nath was elected Deputy Mayor.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi flagged off four new trains, including three Amrit Bharat Express services, and inaugurated multiple development projects in Thiruvananthapuram. He also laid foundation stones for several infrastructure initiatives in the city.
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