End LDF-UDF cycle in Kerala for development, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress and Rahul Gandhi at an NDA rally in Kerala, accusing them of spreading rumours over the West Asia crisis. He also criticised the LDF government and urged voters to end the LDF-UDF cycle

Kochi: Launching a sharp attack on Congress and its top leader Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the opposition party of “playing politics” over the West Asia crisis and said the LoP was unaware of the country’s development.

Addressing a massive NDA rally in poll-bound Kerala, he also accused the ruling LDF of corruption. The southern state must end its pattern of alternating between CPI(M)-headed LDF and Congress-led UDF governments for the state’s progress, he said and expressed confidence of a BJP win in the upcoming polls.

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All efforts were on to ensure the welfare of Indians stuck in the war-affected West Asia, he said and urged people not to fall for “rumours” spread by the Congress and the Left. Modi also raked up the Sabarimala gold loss issue to attack both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF, describing them as “partners in crime” in corruption, communal politics and blocking development and industry in the state.

“They are partners in the loot of the Sabarimala temple. While LDF leaders are accused of looting the gold from the temple, the UDF is accused of selling the looted gold,” Modi alleged, without elaborating.

He referred to his government’s decision to change the name of Kerala to ‘Keralam’ and urged the people of the state to give the BJP-led alliance a chance to serve them for the next five years, saying it comes with “Modi’s guarantees.”

Attacking Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Modi claimed that the Congress “Yuvaraj” (prince) does not know about the development happening in the country as he was unaware that the youth and various companies in India, including in Kerala, were involved in drone manufacturing.

“The Congress’ prince does not even know that Indian youth are creating magic in drone manufacturing. He does not know that many companies in India are manufacturing drones. He does not know that Keralam’s youth are building drone startups. He is limited to a small circle and cannot see the growth of India,” the PM said.

Modi’s remarks were in reference to Gandhi’s recent statement at an event in Thiruvananthapuram, where he said China was dominating drone manufacturing and India was nowhere close to it currently.

He had also said that India was the only country which could compete with China in the sector given the right policies.

Modi, in his speech, also said that the BJP will work to make Kerala a hub of AI and future technology.

Referring to the West Asia crisis, he claimed that the India of today does not leave its citizens stranded elsewhere and that the central government was working to ensure that all help is provided to Indians stuck in the Gulf region.

“It is only natural for all of you to be concerned about everything that is happening in West Asia today. Millions of our brothers and sisters work there. But you must remember that today, the country is governed by the BJP-NDA. Whenever any of our fellow citizens has faced a crisis, we have put in our full strength to bring them back safely.”

“I am also grateful that the governments in Gulf countries are protecting our citizens. Our Indian embassies are helping them 24×7. Be it food, medical or legal help, everything is being provided,” Modi said.

At the same time, he claimed that it was “sad” that even in such global crises, Congress is “playing politics” and making remarks that can worsen the situation and put people in trouble, so that they can ultimately blame him.

In a bid to reach out to the Christian community, which constitutes a significant vote base in Kerala, Modi referred to the successful efforts by his government to rescue two priests caught in conflict-torn countries — Yemen and Afghanistan — a few years ago.

The PM also said that the present crisis in West Asia has once again proved how important it is to become “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliant).

“To reduce dependence on other countries in the energy sector, the government has taken many steps in recent years. We have increased our solar capacity. Work on solar projects has started in Keralam as well. To reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, electric vehicles are being promoted. Hundred per cent electrification of railways is also being carried out,” he said.

Modi said that the Congress and the Left, on the other hand, have made the country more and more dependent on foreign nations and together they were now “spreading rumours” in connection with the war in the Gulf region, which has a significant number of Keralites employed in various sectors in different countries there.

He alleged that even during this time of war, “the Congress, the Left and their ecosystem are putting all their strength into creating fear in the country”.

“I would say to the nation to stay cautious and alert about the rumours being spread by Congress and the Left,” he contended.

He said that the public has made up its mind to come out of the “traps” of the LDF-UDF “unholy nexus” and it was evident from the trust placed on the BJP-NDA by the people of Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and several panchayats in the state.

He was referring to the BJP’s wins in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in 2024 and the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and some local bodies in December 2025. This will be repeated in the polls this year.

He claimed that despite Kerala having nature, culture, talent, technology and the blessings of the ocean, development did not happen in the state as it should have due to the alternating UDF-LDF pattern of government which, he said, has “harmed” the southern state.