Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Christians in Kerala have become fed up with the “lies” of both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state.
The LDF is currently in power in the state and the Congress is the principal opposition party. While the two parties and their coalitions clash in the state, both of them are part of the INDIA bloc for the purpose of the 2024 general elections.
Ahead of the second round of voting on April 26 that covers all 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, Modi in an interview with Asianet said that the trust of the Christian community in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has grown stronger. He also emphasised that the community has been voting for the party in Goa and the northeastern India, where Christians are a sizable part of the population.
“Christian community has become fed-up with the lies of the LDF and the UDF…The trust of the Christian community in us has grown stronger and we will continue to do everything possible for their welfare,” said Modi.
In recent years, the BJP has tried to woo the Christian community in Kerala, which is influential in several constituencies of the state. In the ongoing elections, the BJP hopes to win a seat in a state for the first time that has remained a duopoly between the LDF and UDF blocs.
In the interview, Modi said that several chief ministers of the BJP are Christians and noted that he frequently meets community leaders and organises Christmas festivities.
Community leaders from Kerala say how Church properties in the state are facing a crisis due to the LDF and UDF, said Modi.
Modi also highlighted his government’s commitment to help the fishermen of the coastal state.
In a swipe at the Congress- and the Left-led blocs, Modi said they have been fooling people and are the “two sides of the same coin”.
“Both parties are the two sides of the same coin,” Modi said, adding the Congress will demand in Kerala that Left leaders should be jailed and but decry “vindictive” politics if they are arrested.
Modi also lashed out the Left front government of the state and raised the issue of alleged financial irregularities in cooperative banks run by Left groups. He said that around Rs 1 lakh crore belonging to the poor and common persons of the state has been deposited there and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the central anti-money laundering agency, has attached Rs 90 crore. He further said that his government is seeking legal advice about returning the money to those it belongs to.
Laying out his plans for the third term that he is seeking, Modi said, “In 2014, we brought hope to the people of India. In 2019, we instilled confidence, and in 2024, we pledge to deliver ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ to the people of India.”
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‘Christians in Kerala fed up with lies of Congress, Left Front, both 2 sides of same coin’: PM Modi
