Palakkad, Kerala - Prime Minister Modi led a spirited roadshow in Palakkad, Kerala, signaling the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) burgeoning influence in a region where it has historically struggled to make significant electoral gains. The event attracted throngs of supporters, bolstering momentum for the party's candidates ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Emphasizing the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) focus on Kerala in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi orchestrated a massive roadshow on Tuesday to galvanize support for NDA candidates from the state. Historically, the saffron party has faced challenges in clinching electoral victories here. The roadshow, which commenced around 10:45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town, featured the PM standing on an open-roof vehicle adorned with flowers.
Arriving via helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, PM Modi was accompanied on the open-roof vehicle by BJP state president K Surendran and NDA candidates C Krishnakumar, contesting from the Palakkad constituency, and Niveditha Subramanian, fielded in the Ponnani seat.
Despite the scorching sun, thousands of people, including BJP supporters waving flowers, garlands, party flags, and placards of Modi, lined both sides of the approximately one-kilometer roadshow route. Cheers of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam', and 'Modi ki jai' resonated from the crowd as the procession moved along. Modi, sporting a saffron-colored Nehru cap, reciprocated the warm reception by showering flowers on the gathered crowd multiple times.
Enduring the heat and crowds, people of all ages gathered hours before the Prime Minister's arrival, creating a festive atmosphere along the roadshow route. Many families expressed their determination to catch a glimpse of Modi, indicating the enthusiasm among the populace.
Covering the approximately one-kilometer route in about half an hour, the roadshow concluded, and PM Modi swiftly returned to the helipad. This event follows Modi's recent participation in a public meeting in Pathanamthitta town on March 15, where he rallied support for NDA candidates in southern Kerala constituencies.
During his address in Pathanamthitta, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in BJP's prospects, stating that "The Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala" in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He also criticized the ruling Left and the opposition Congress-led UDF, alleging corruption and incompetence in their governance.
Notably, the BJP's vote share has seen an uptick from the Palakkad constituency in the Lok Sabha polls, with candidate Krishnakumar C securing 21.24 percent of the total votes polled in the 2019 general elections.
This marks Modi's fifth visit to the state within three months, encompassing both official engagements and party functions.
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