Thiruvananthapuram, April 5 (NationPress) Congress MP Kumari Selja took aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, accusing them of trying to "communalise" the populace. She referred to the BJP-led Central government as a "government of slogans". During her visit to Kochi for the upcoming Assembly polls on April 9, she underscored the pressing issues facing fishermen in Kerala and the challenges of human-animal conflict.

In an interview with IANS, Selja stated, "The BJP consistently attempts to communalise society; it's their defining characteristic. If they truly excelled in development, why don't they discuss it? What tangible results do they have to present?"

She accused the BJP of frequently recycling slogans, asserting, "This is merely a government of slogans and empty rhetoric; there is no substance beyond that."

Furthermore, Selja claimed that the BJP has been financially incentivizing voters, saying, "If you travel to the North, you'll witness the reality of their communal tactics, how they secure votes, and the money they distribute before elections."

She also highlighted the commitment of Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, to real development, expressing his deep connection to Kerala, a state that has repeatedly sent him and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Parliament.

During her conversation with IANS, Selja raised awareness about the human-animal conflict and the plight of fishermen, which she believes are crucial electoral issues.

She remarked, "Natural disasters and climate change are significant concerns. The ongoing human-animal conflicts, including incidents involving elephants and snake bites, are costing lives. For instance, a villager named Indiramma lost her life near Kochi due to an elephant encounter."

She stressed the importance of how the government addresses these ongoing conflicts, asserting, "It is the government's responsibility to alleviate these challenges for the common individual."

Selja claimed, "The Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has failed to tackle these issues effectively."

She underscored the reliance of fishermen on the sea for their livelihoods, contributing significantly to the economy through the seafood sector, and questioned both the Central and state LDF governments on their support for Kerala's fishermen.

She urged, "The Government of India must seriously evaluate its approach towards fishermen."

Selja further claimed that fishermen, as well as the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), are not receiving the attention they deserve.

Highlighting the conditions of women in the seafood industry, she stated that while road infrastructure is essential in Kerala, it is equally important to consider the needs of these women.

Selja emphasized that macro development should not overshadow micro development, stating, "Individual growth must align with infrastructural progress."

Expressing confidence in the party's success in Kerala, she noted that the Congress and United Democratic Front (UDF) have always advocated for development with a human touch.

Selja concluded, "Today, the human element has been lost, whether under the BJP government at the Centre or the LDF government in the state."