‘PM’s visit to set political discourse’

Kochi: The state BJP is in an upbeat mood with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to visit Kochi on April 25 for an interaction programme with the youth of Kerala. Party in-charge of BJP Prakash Javadekar and state president K Surendran said the PM’s visit is important in the backdrop of the changing political scenario in Kerala.“BJP workers visited more than one lakh Christian homes in the state to exchange greetings during Christmas last year and Easter too. We have initiated two programmes - Snehayatra and Snehasamvad. This will continue,” said Javadekar, adding that the party will reach out to Christians and Muslims. “People across the state are saying ‘Nanni Modi’ as the central government schemes are reaching Kerala homes,” he said.Javadekar said the Kottayam unit is bringing out a book on what Modi government has done for the district and asked all other district units to bring out brochures or documents publicizing the central government schemes benefiting Keralites.Speaking to party workers, Surendran said the entire country will be watching Kerala when Modi visits as it will set the political discourse for the state, which has seen both fronts (UDF and LDF) rule for seven decades.“Both fronts have been playing vote bank politics to hide their administrative failures. There is only a subtle difference between the two fronts, which are fighting a shadow war. Both fronts have destroyed Kerala with rampant corruption and anti-women policies. When BJP workers went to greet Christian friends and wish them on Easter, CM’s son-in-law PA Mohamed Riyas took strong objection. They are trying to maintain a vote bank by giving subsidies and concessions. The Christian-BJP relationship is not something you can quickly dismiss. BJP had started a strong relationship with this snehayatra, and it will continue, said Surendran.Javadekar clarifies: Javadekar, in a statement, said some media are carrying misleading story in Shobha Surendran’s name. “She didn’t speak even a single word in the meeting. All 60 office bearers are witness to this. Some media is attributing her to having said, “either give me work or allow me to work”. It is totally false. This is defamatory for her and the party. It is fake news,” he said.