Would Modi's Vande Bharat, Sneha Yatra or Kasavu Mund win BJP Kerala?

Kochi: Eyeing the 2024 general polls as well as the state Assembly polls two years later, BJP national lead is all set with everything in hand to make discernible inroads into the Congress-CPI(M) manured soil of Kerala.

BJP has been making desperate attempts to build up a base in the state. After the 2016 Assembly polls, when the saffron party managed to grab a seat in the state capital, 2021 was a disaster after losing the only seat they had. However, the party won a 12.4 per cent vote share in the polls.

Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has apparated in the god's own country to court the hardest corner for BJP in the country, of course, it would not be the first time he would be landing in the state with a mission and pomp-and-show. In Kerala's traditional Kasav Mundu, white Kurtha and shawl, he walked the streets here on Monday waving to thousands.

PM is to attend several programmes in Kerala over the next two days, such as the flagging of a Vande Bharat Express, laying the foundation for the country's first Digital Science Park etc. Also, he is to visit a group of eight bishops from the state's various Christian sects.

During the last few months, BJP had its lens turned to Kerala (along with Tamil Nadu). Introducing infrastructure projects, including Vande Bharat, a bullet train fated to run the length of Kerala at mere 80 and something kmph speeds. A recent RTI reply on the semi-speed train has gathered headlines last week. Then, the party has been keen on working on attracting Christian and Muslim communities. Party leaders visited Christian homes on Easter and Muslim during Eid. But the logic of reaching out to Muslims in Kerala while making an open proclamation of slashing down Muslim reservations in Karnataka and Telangana is curious.

Addressing the "Yuvam 2023", the PM droned on about the developmental projects the BJP-led Centre had rolled out. The PM, who started his campaign in the nine years in Kerala by trying a hand at Malayalam speeches, this time chose a mallu attire to attract the masses.

He said that previous governments at the Centre were corrupt when BJP provided opportunities to the youth in every sector, including space and defence. BJP encourages local products and increased manufacturing and exports in the country, he "reminded" the "Mallus" who gathered.

He explained how the youth took India from "Fragile 5" to the "Fastest growing economy", and that is why her "trusts the youth with this responsibility", NDTV quoted him.