Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed a historic political shift in Kerala, penning a congratulatory letter to V V Rajesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party's first-ever mayor in the state. This milestone follows the BJP's significant performance in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation council elections, a development the Prime Minister described as being "written in golden letters."
A New Dawn for Kerala's Politics
In his letter addressed to Mayor Rajesh, PM Modi stated that the electoral success signals that the people of Kerala, particularly the youth and women, are ready for a new beginning. He emphasized that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is emerging as the preferred choice for the people. According to Modi, this choice is rooted in three core principles: nationalism without exclusion, development without corruption, and governance without appeasement.
The Prime Minister directly criticized the state's long-dominant political fronts. "Kerala wants to break free from broken promises of the LDF and the UDF," Modi said. He added that the poor governance record of these alliances is evident to all, accusing them of perpetuating a culture of violence and brutality that contradicts Kerala's ethos.
Decades of Struggle Culminate in Victory
PM Modi paid tribute to the resilience of BJP workers in Kerala, acknowledging they have walked a difficult path for decades amid adversity, hostility, and violence. Despite these challenges, the party's karyakartas (workers) stood firm, leading to this pivotal moment.
The numbers underscore the tight contest. In the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram corporation council, the BJP now has 50 members. The Congress-CPI(M) combine holds 49 seats. The BJP secured its majority with the support of an Independent councilor, while election to one remaining seat is pending.
Development: The Core Promise
During the campaign for the state capital's corporation, development was the central plank of the BJP's agenda. The state unit made a significant promise to the electorate: if voted to power in the corporation, they would bring Prime Minister Modi to Thiruvananthapuram within 45 days of the results to secure major projects for the city's development.
Modi expressed confidence that this vision to build a "Viksit Thiruvananthapuram" (Developed Thiruvananthapuram) resonated with citizens across all sections of society. He attributed the people's trust to the visible work of the central government and the party's track record in urban development in other states.
This victory marks a crucial entry point for the BJP in Kerala's urban local governance, challenging the traditional bipolar political landscape and setting the stage for a new political narrative in the state.
