New Delhi: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a big roadshow in Kerala's Kochi last evening, where he landed for a 2-day visit. Visuals showed the Prime Minster  walking the road lined with cheering supporters in what was clearly a departure from his usual practice of riding an open-top vehicle.

Dressed in traditional Kerala dress, Prime Minster was seen waving to people on both sides of the 2-km route from the INS Garuda naval air station to the venue of a youth conclave. He landed at the naval air station after 5 pm on Monday.

Thousands of police officers were deployed  throughout the region to provide tight security and assure the Prime Minister's safety. He was eventually taken to a waiting SUV by his security personnel after more than 15 minutes of walking.

Later, when speaking at "Yuvam 2023," PM Modi mentioned the significant infrastructure improvements that the Central government has brought about in Kerala.

"While the past administrations engaged in widespread corruption, the BJP government is providing opportunity for young people across the board. By advocating for local businesses, we support local goods and provide young people with possibilities in the military and space. The country's production and exports have increased, he claimed.

From being one of the "Fragile 5," India is now the "Economy with the fastest growth"... You all took action. Therefore, I give this obligation to the country's youth," he continued. The BJP anticipates that the young project will fundamentally alter Kerala politics.

The Prime Minister's decision to walk during the roadshow in Kerala, which came only days after receiving a letter threatening to detonate a suicide bomb, is seen as a sign of confidence in a state where his party hopes to make significant gains before the general election of next year.

The BJP has actively targeted Kerala over the past few months, not only by launching numerous infrastructure projects but also by courting the state's Christian and Muslim populations, which have sway over a number of seats.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with 8 bishops from the state's major Christian faiths later this evening. It would be his second encounter with the neighbourhood in the last three weeks.

The gathering follows the BJP's "Sneha Yatra" outreach initiative, which saw party representatives visiting households over Easter and Eid for both Christians and Muslims.

A senior Bishop of the powerful Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, recently said that if the Centre promised to raise the rate of rubber procurement to Rs 300 per kg, the party might win an MP from the state. This gave the party's outreach campaign a boost.

On April 14, the BJP leaders in Kerala hosted bishops and other church leaders for breakfast in honour of Vishu, the Kerala new year.

PM Modi will take part in a number of events over the course of the next two days, including launching the Vande Bharat Express. He will formally establish the nation's first Digital Science Park on Tuesday. The two-year initiative, which would cost Rs 1,500 crore, will be a multidisciplinary cluster-based interactive-innovation zone with a focus on digital technologies.

In the latest assembly election, the BJP received 12.4% of the vote in the state but was unable to get a single seat.

The Kerala Congress, which has historically been viewed as a Christian party in Kerala, is weakening, and the BJP sees this as a political opportunity. Victor Thomas, a former UDF Pathanamthitta chairman, yesterday left the Kerala Congress and joined the BJP.

PM to flag off the first Vande Bharat Express to Kerala tomorrow

PM to embark on 2-day India tour, attend 8 programmes in 7 cities

PM to launch Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express on April 25, See full list of programme here