Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala from Monday, launched a scathing attack against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government even as the BJP government is working hard to increase exports and distribute traditional medicines from Kerala across the world. Has been , some persons are engaged in “gold smuggling”.
Addressing the Yuvam 2023 Conclave at the Sacred Heart College Grounds in Kochi, he said, “On one hand, the BJP government is working day and night to increase exports and distribute traditional medicines of Kerala across the world. On the other hand, some people are playing a different game. They are working hard to smuggle gold..,” he said.
#Watch , “On one hand, the BJP government is working day and night to increase exports and distribute Kerala’s traditional medicines across the world. On the other hand, some people are playing a different game. They are working hard to smuggle gold. Have been..” says PM Modi in Kochi, Kerala. pic.twitter.com/nOY8qcb01z– ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2023
Former UAE consulate employee Swapna Suresh and another accused Sandeep Nair were taken into custody by the NIA on July 11, 2020, in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling racket. The racket was busted when gold worth Rs 15 crore was seized from the diplomatic baggage of the UAE consulate at Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 5, 2020.
Those arrested in connection with the case included M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to the Chief Minister of Kerala, and Sarith PS, a former employee of the UAE consulate.
The Prime Minister’s speech at the Youth Conclave in Kochi is being seen as a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate its support base in Kerala ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
‘My Home 2023’
The Prime Minister has said that the youth power of India is the driving force of the development journey of our country.
“A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Appukutta Poduval, the 99-year-old young VP of Kerala. The BJP government recognized his contribution by giving him the Padma Award, which increased our pride. Similarly, we can learn from the geniuses of Kerala, be it Kalaripayattu guru SRD Prasad, historian I Issac or Cheruvayal Raman, a farmer who promoted traditional farming.”
PM Modi said that India believes in the concept of self-reliance and has launched initiatives like Stand Up India and Start-up India to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
He also said that India’s rapid growth has earned it recognition as the fastest growing economy in the world.
The Prime Minister said, “The youth of Kerala are ready to take responsibility. A mission comes alive when it is powered by the energy of young people, and when it comes to Kerala, such a gorgeous and beautiful place, the energy only multiplies.”
He said that the youth of Kerala understand the importance of modern infrastructure in the development of any state. “With better infrastructure, Kerala can create new employment opportunities, attract new industries and boost tourism,” he added.
He said that the BJP and the youth of the country today share a common vision and wavelength. “Government brings reforms, and youth deliver results. It is a powerful partnership between the government and the youth. The BJP has ushered in an era of youth-led development.
Before flagging off the Vande Bharat Express train, PM Modi highlighted the role of modern infrastructure in the development of the state. Pointing to the rapid progress of the Kochi Metro with the help of the central government, he announced that the first Vande Bharat Express train in Kerala would be flagged off tomorrow.
PM Modi criticized the previous governments saying that they were involved in scams in every sector. “On the contrary, the BJP government is focused on creating opportunities in every sector. Atmanirbhar Abhiyan has opened new opportunities for the youth,” he said.
PM Modi cited the recent decision of the central government to conduct the examination for the post of constables in the Central Armed Police Forces in 13 more languages, including Malayalam, as an example of India’s progress towards inclusivity. He stressed that the country is no longer considered irreconcilable, as it can now potentially affect the entire world. He also highlighted the importance of Digital India in the current Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
The Prime Minister was scheduled to address and connect with the youth in Kochi under the ‘Yuvam 2023’ initiative. Yuvam 2023 is being projected by the saffron party as a game-changer in Kerala politics.
Warm welcome to PM Modi in the road show
A warm welcome was given in Kochi before PM Modi’s address. He started the two kilometer long road show on foot, dressed in traditional Kerala clothes and shaking hands with people on both sides of the road. Tight security arrangements were made with the deployment of thousands of policemen. People of all ages lined up for hours in advance on both sides of the road to welcome him. Over 2,000 police personnel were deployed for his visit.
Following the BJP’s strong performance in the recent elections in three northeastern states, including Nagaland and Meghalaya, with significant Christian populations, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the party-led coalition would also come to power in Kerala in the future.
The Prime Minister earlier criticized the Left and Congress parties for “politics of deceit”, highlighting their contradictory behavior of being friends in Tripura and rivals in Kerala. Modi also said that the lies of his political rivals continue to be exposed. The popularity and influence of the BJP will continue to grow.
The CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF are the two main fronts in the southern state.
(With inputs from PTI)
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