'Even Church Priests Are Not Safe': PM Modi Reaches Out To Kerala Christian Community, Says 'Lotus' Is Going To Bloom In The State

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (15 March) reached out to the Christian community in Kerala, which holds considerable influence in the state's Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency.

He also projected Anil K Antony - son of Congress stalwart and former Union Minister A K Antony - as a symbol of the youth.

"This is the kind of freshness that is required in Kerala politics," Modi said, referring to Anil Antony who left Congress and joined BJP last year and is now the party's candidate for the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat.

Addressing a public meeting in Pathanamthitta, PM Modi said that in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP secured double digit vote percentage and is set to get double-digit seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Today, the enthusiasm of Pathanamthitta is telling that this time, 'Lotus' is going to bloom in Kerala. In the last elections, the people of Kerala made us the double-digit vote percentage party. And now, our destiny of double-digit seats here is not so far!" he said.

Reaching out to the Christian community, which has a significant presence in the southern district of Kerala, by recalling his meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

In an apparent reference to the incident of a vehicle hitting a Catholic priest in Poonjar in Kottayam district last month, PM Modi said, "It is unfortunate that even church priests in Kerala are not safe from violence", Times of India reported.

"It's unfortunate that even church priests in Kerala are not safe. Due to the shameful state of law and order, they are becoming victims of violence. Not only this, innumerous colleges have become hubs of communists' goons," PM Modi said.

He also attacked the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF and the Congress-led UDF opposition in the state.

"People of Kerala have been suffering due to corrupt and incapable governments ruling the state. The LDF and UDF governments have gone blind to the plight of rubber farmers. Law and order in Kerala is also in a very bad state," PM Modi said.

PM Modi said that the women, youth and every section of Kerala's society is living in fear, and those ruling the state are enjoying a peaceful sleep.

"The only panacea for saving Kerala is getting rid of Congress and LDF. It's the only solution through which people of Kerala will get justice," he added.

He said that the LDF and UDF people pretend to be opponents, but in Delhi, they 'hug' each other.

"Congress and Communists call each other names, but make alliances in the national capital! Congress and Left are both thugs. They have cheated the people of Kerala. But now, the people of Kerala, especially the youth and women, have understood the reality," he said.

The Prime Minister also contended that the thinking and ideology of both the LDF and the UDF are outdated and in sharp contrast to the progressiveness and forward-thinking of the people of Kerala.

He also said that both the LDF and UDF governments have turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber planters.

PM Modi urged the people of Kerala to give him their blessing and complete support and guaranteed that there will not be any lapses from his end in fulfilling their desires.

"I have a firm belief, that this time, Kerala will immensely support the BJP. Modi promises you that he will leave no stone unturned to develop Kerala," he said.

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