Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) during a public rally in Palakkad, accusing them of being engaged in a covert 'fixed match' that has harmed the state's development. He asserted that this arrangement is nearing its end.
Modi's Allegation of a Covert Alliance
Addressing a large gathering as part of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi claimed that the apparent political rivalry between the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF is a facade. He stated that both fronts have a silent understanding to alternate power while keeping the Bharatiya Janata Party out of Kerala's political landscape. "In Kerala, there is a fixed match between the UDF and LDF. This fixed match is going to end soon," the Prime Minister declared confidently.
He elaborated that this alleged arrangement allows both fronts to protect each other's interests, leading to what he described as rampant corruption and a lack of accountability. Modi emphasized that the people of Kerala are now aware of this game and are ready to reject it, seeking a third alternative for the state's progress.
Criticism on Corruption and Dynastic Politics
The Prime Minister's speech heavily focused on issues of corruption and nepotism. He directly targeted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government over the controversial gold smuggling case that had implicated individuals linked to the state administration. Modi questioned the silence of both the LDF and UDF on each other's alleged scandals, framing it as evidence of their collusion.
Furthermore, Modi criticized the dynastic politics prevalent in both fronts. "On one side there is the Congress, which is the mother-son party. On the other side, there is the LDF, which has become a father-daughter party," he remarked, in apparent references to the Gandhi family in Congress and the Vijayan family in the CPI(M). He positioned the BJP as the only party offering a departure from this model, focused on development and meritocracy.
The BJP's Kerala Ambitions and Voter Appeal
PM Modi's rally in Palakkad is a strategic part of the BJP's intensified efforts to open its account in the Lok Sabha from Kerala in the 2024 elections. The party has never won a parliamentary seat in the state. Modi appealed directly to the electorate, urging them to look beyond the traditional binary and support the BJP for a new direction.
He highlighted central government schemes and projects, arguing that the benefits meant for Kerala's people were being obstructed by the state government. The Prime Minister framed the upcoming election as a critical juncture for Kerala to break free from the cycle of the UDF-LDF 'match-fixing' and embrace a politics of performance and transparency.
Political analysts suggest that Modi's strong rhetoric aims to consolidate anti-incumbency votes and attract younger voters disillusioned with the established political players. The BJP is hoping to leverage national leadership and a promise of change to make a historic breakthrough in the southern state.
