PM Modi’s Grand Kerala Roadshow: A Strong Indication of BJP’s Strategy for Upcoming Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong statement of his party’s focus on Kerala, a state where the BJP has never won a Lok Sabha seat, by conducting a massive roadshow in Kochi on Tuesday. The event, which drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters, was the second such show of strength by the PM in the state in less than two weeks.

A festive atmosphere in Kochi

The roadshow, which covered a distance of 1.3 km in about 25 minutes, started from the KPCC junction at 7:45 pm and ended at the Ernakulam government guest house, where the PM stayed for the night. Modi, who was accompanied by BJP state president K Surendran, rode in an open vehicle and waved at the cheering crowd on both sides of the brightly lit route. He was showered with flowers by people of all age groups and reciprocated the excitement by throwing flowers at the ardent supporters. Enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters, wearing party hats or caps and holding placards with Modi’s photograph, lined up on both sides of the road, chanting ‘Modi-Modi’. The crowds gathered hours ahead of the PM’s arrival, creating a festive atmosphere in the port city.

Following the warm welcome he received, Modi took to social media to express his gratitude. He shared photographs of the enthusiastic public response to his arrival in the southern state, saying, “Humbled by the affection in Kochi. Sharing some glimpses.”

A strategic move ahead of polls

The roadshow was not just a display of popularity, but also a strategic move by the BJP to boost its prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, especially in the Thrissur seat, where actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is likely to be fielded as the party’s candidate. Modi visited Kerala to attend the marriage of Gopi’s daughter at the Guruvayoor temple on Wednesday. Gopi, who is also a former Rajya Sabha MP, had contested from Thrissur in 2019 and secured over three lakh votes, increasing the BJP’s vote share from 6.06 per cent in 2014 to 15.56 per cent.

The BJP has been trying hard to make inroads into Kerala, a state that has been alternating between the CPM-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF for decades. The party hopes to capitalize on the anti-incumbency factor against the LDF government, which has been facing allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The party also hopes to attract more women voters, who constitute over 50 per cent of the electorate in Kerala, by highlighting its welfare schemes and empowerment initiatives. Modi had launched his election campaign in Kerala by addressing a women’s conference in Thrissur on January 3.

The PM’s frequent visits to Kerala also indicate that the BJP is not willing to concede any ground to its rivals in the southern states, where it has been facing stiff competition from regional parties. The party aims to expand its footprint and increase its tally of seats from the south, where it currently has only four MPs out of 130.

The roadshow in Kochi was also a signal to the UDF, which has been trying to project itself as the main alternative to the LDF in Kerala. The Congress, which leads the UDF, has been facing internal rifts and leadership issues in the state. The party also faces a challenge from its former ally, the Kerala Congress (M), which has joined hands with the BJP-led NDA.

The BJP hopes that its aggressive campaign and star power will help it break the bipolar politics of Kerala and emerge as a formidable force in the state.