With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Thiruvananthapuram later this month, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is readying to kick off its Kerala Assembly election campaign. This move follows Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to the state capital, where he laid the groundwork. PM Modi’s presence will signal a shift towards mass outreach, as the party shapes its campaign narrative.
Shah’s engagements with the state BJP leadership and his discussions with local body representatives are seen as a strategic lead-up to Modi’s visit. The party is gearing up under the ‘Mission 2026’ campaign, with Shah highlighting the alleged gold disappearance from Sabarimala as a key political issue. This issue is expected to resonate not only in Kerala but also among devotees nationwide.
The Home Minister called for an independent probe into the Sabarimala gold case, criticizing the handling of the FIR and raising suspicions about individuals associated with the ruling Left Democratic Front. Shah emphasized that this issue transcends state boundaries, impacting the faith of millions of devotees. He also implicated Congress leaders in the matter, challenging the United Democratic Front’s stance.
Shah’s broader narrative focused on the diminishing global relevance of communism and the weakening of the Congress nationally. He asserted that Kerala’s progress could only be achieved under a BJP-led government, emphasizing the party’s vision for a Chief Minister from their ranks. As the BJP gears up for Modi’s visit, the focus remains on consolidating the Sabarimala narrative and positioning the Kerala Assembly campaign at a national level.
