Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a blistering assembly poll campaign offensive in Kerala, accusing the ruling Left of “corruption” over the Sabarimala gold loss case while branding the Congress as a “compromised coalition” ideologically tethered to the Muslim League and Maoists.Visiting the state for the first time since the BJP’s historic victory in the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Modi addressed a massive rally on Friday, seeking a decisive mandate in the upcoming April polls to fulfill the developmental aspirations of the people of Kerala.
Elections to the 140-member assembly are expected to be held in three to four months Branding the Congress as ‘MMC’, Muslim League Maoist Congress, Modi said it was important to be vigilant against them, as they were allegedly using Kerala as a “testing ground” for their strategies.
“The Congress party lacks a developmental agenda. Today, it has adopted positions that are more Communist than those of the Maoists and more communal than the Muslim League. As a result, the Congress is increasingly being referred to as the MMC across the country.
“It is important to remain vigilant regarding the Congress, as they are using Kerala as a testing ground for their strategies. In Kerala, the Congress is actively promoting hardline elements,” he alleged.
Targeting the CPI(M)-led ruling alliance, Modi accused the LDF of leaving no stone unturned to “tarnish” the traditions of the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.
“Now, there are reports of gold being stolen from the shrine. Gold has been stolen from God. I will make it clear that as soon as a BJP government is formed (apparently referring to forthcoming Assembly elections in the state), the allegations will be examined in detail and the culprits will be put in jail. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the PM asserted.
Modi said that while the LDF and UDF have different flags and symbols, their underlying political approach and agenda are virtually identical — “rampant corruption with zero accountability and the promotion of divisive communalism with no responsibility”.