In a high-voltage rally here on Sunday ahead of the 9 April polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into both the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF, accusing them of "looting" Kerala and declaring that the BJP-led NDA is the state's "real A-team", not anyone's "B-team".
Instilling confidence among BJP workers, who have faced an electoral drought ever since the formation of the saffron party four decades ago, Modi asserted that the NDA would form the next government in Kerala.
"In Kerala, Team BJP and Team NDA are to form the government. With the blessings of the people of Kerala, and with all your support, we will form the government here, and we will leave no stone unturned in serving Kerala," he said.
Promising to fulfil Modi's guarantee in Kerala if voted to power, the PM said he could sense a changing political atmosphere in the state, indicating growing support for the BJP-led alliance.
"There is a different atmosphere in Kerala, sending a message of change," he said.
Modi claimed that the NDA and the BJP are witnessing increasing acceptance among various sections of society.
"Now, the youth of Kerala have faith in the BJP and the NDA. Now, the women of Kerala have affection for the BJP and the NDA. Now, the farmers of Kerala have love for the BJP and the NDA," he said.
Launching a scathing attack on both fronts, he alleged that the LDF and the UDF have alternated in power while "looting" the state.
"There has been a practical understanding between them -- for a few years the LDF runs the government and fills its pockets, and after that the UDF comes and continues the loot. In this arrangement, Kerala has remained trapped," he said.
He said both the Left and the Congress accuse each other of being the BJP's "B-team".
"This means that both the LDF and the UDF have themselves admitted that in this Kerala election, if there is one real A-team, it is only and only the BJP," he said.
Modi said both fronts are targeting the BJP out of fear.
"This means that if these two corrupt parties are afraid of anyone, it is the BJP. They fear the BJP because they believe that if the BJP comes to power, all their wrongdoings will be exposed," he said.
He alleged that successive LDF and UDF governments have been involved in major scams and failed to act against each other.
"If a BJP government comes to power, it will investigate every scam of the LDF and the UDF and ensure justice for the people of Kerala," he said.
Modi also claimed that the Congress and the Left are allies in several states across the country but present themselves as rivals in Kerala.
"Look at Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Tamil Nadu--the Congress and the Communists are together. But here in Kerala, they abuse each other. People must remain cautious of both," he said.
Attacking the Left government, which has ruled the state for the past 10 years, Modi said Kerala's public debt has crossed Rs 5 lakh crore and has increased more than threefold in the last decade.
"People are asking where this money is going. There is only one answer--it is going into the pockets of LDF leaders," he alleged, adding that an NDA government would recover such money and use it for development.
Highlighting central assistance, Modi said Kerala has received significantly higher funds under the NDA government at the Centre compared with previous Congress-led regimes.
Reaching out to the people of Palakkad, where the party has fielded its firebrand leader Shobha Surendran, Modi highlighted the significance of the Kalpathy Temple, often compared with Kashi.
"As a Member of Parliament from Kashi, this makes it even more special for me," he said.
Referring to development in Palakkad, Modi said the region had not seen adequate progress under previous representatives.
"As soon as the BJP government came to power at the Centre, Palakkad got Kerala's first IIT. Railway stations are being upgraded, highways modernised, and a smart industrial city is being developed here," he said.
He emphasised the NDA's focus on women-led development and cited initiatives aimed at financial inclusion, healthcare and housing.
"To ensure greater participation of women in legislatures, we have passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Act," he said.
Modi also referred to sexual assault allegations against the sitting MLA of Palakkad, Rahul Mamkootathil, who won the bypoll held in 2024 on a Congress ticket, and a recent similar case involving a Congress councillor.
"On the other hand, during Congress rule, you have seen that their own leaders have become a threat to women's safety. Just yesterday, the Congress was forced to expel another of its leaders following serious allegations of exploitation of a woman. This is the reality of these parties, and the women of Kerala must remain cautious," he said.
Recalling the previous Assembly election, he noted that the BJP had fielded 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan in Palakkad, where he finished second.
"We were saddened by that result, and so were the people of Palakkad," he said.
He said the BJP has fielded Shobha Surendran this time and urged voters to ensure her victory.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
