Will Amit Shah's Vision for Kerala Become Reality?

Thiruvananthapuram, July 12 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah unleashed a fierce critique of both the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF in Kerala on Saturday, asserting that the BJP is poised to establish its government in the state following the 2026 Assembly elections.

During a 35-minute speech to a large audience at Putharikandam Maidan, Shah stated, “The moment has arrived to conclude the reign of LDF and UDF in Kerala. I express my gratitude to the state's populace as our vote share has escalated from 11 percent to 20 percent. This serves as the groundwork for a BJP-led government in 2026.”

He proclaimed that the BJP would compete in all 21,000 seats in the upcoming local body elections and called on voters to elevate the party’s vote share to 25 percent. “We are no longer an emerging force. We now have a footprint in all 21,000 wards throughout the state,” he remarked.

Shah, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram late Friday night, inaugurated the BJP’s new state committee office before addressing the public gathering, which featured over 25,000 party workers, with an additional one lakh participating virtually. He described the newly established party office as “a temple” and a testament to the BJP's expansion in Kerala.

“Our workers are our backbone, and without them, the BJP cannot thrive. We are resolved not just to win seats but to fulfill the vision of a developed Kerala. The journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ will commence from Kerala, and we will lay the foundations for it,” he declared.

Shah elaborated on the BJP’s three-fold development strategy inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a governance free from corruption, inclusive execution of welfare programs, and development transcending vote-bank politics. “These principles will steer our campaign for Viksit Kerala,” he emphasized.

Contrasting the CPI(M) with the BJP, Shah stated, “Both are cadre-driven parties, yet the CPI(M) prioritizes personal interests while the BJP advocates for advancement.”

He criticized the state government regarding law and order, saying, “Kerala has become a center for communalism. While Prime Minister Modi banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), the state government has permitted it to operate. If you desire change, you must end the governance of both UDF and LDF.”

Shah also dismissed the idea that the BJP is confined to North India. “We now govern in Odisha, Assam, the Northeast, and are the largest party in Telangana. We will establish governments in Tamil Nadu and other southern states as well,” he asserted. “They mocked us when we claimed we’d govern in Odisha. Now, we are in power there.”

Shah accused both LDF and UDF of enabling corruption. “Under the LDF, there have been scandals involving AI cameras, Life Mission, cooperative banks, gold smuggling, K-Phone, and Exalogic, the now-defunct IT company associated with the CM’s daughter. Even while CM Vijayan is abroad, the gold smuggling scandal continues to shadow the government,” he added.

He further claimed that corruption was widespread during UDF rule, stating that the Congress is a party “on the brink of dissolution.”

“In contrast, not a single corruption allegation has emerged against the Modi government,” Shah insisted. “For a developed Kerala, the BJP must be in power.”

He highlighted various central initiatives and investments in Kerala under the Modi government, such as the Vizhinjam Port, the ₹1,800 crore dry dock project at Kochi, and the ₹65,000 crore National Highway development plan. Allocations for railways in Kerala have surged from ₹372 crore to ₹3,700 crore, he noted.

“PM Modi has facilitated homes, electricity, water, free rations, ₹5 lakh health insurance, and much more. India has ascended from 11th to 4th place globally. Naxalism will be eradicated by 2026, and PM Modi has taken decisive action against terrorism through Operation Sindhoor,” he stated.

“Under PM Modi, India’s standing has improved globally, and he will ensure that Viksit Kerala becomes a reality,” Shah concluded.