Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Additional Pics by Shrikanth Kasargod
Kasargod, Apr 8: BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Tuesday April 8 said that Kerala, known as God's Own Country, has today transformed into a training centre for terrorists.
He was addressing an election rally organized by the BJP at Vidyanagar municipal stadium.
"Kerala has potential be a tourist destination, but unfortunately, it has become of a breeding ground for terrorism," Modi said.
"With such an extensive coastline, Kerala can provide salt to the entire nation and export it to the world," he added.
"The United Front and the Left Front in Kerala have made a secret pact. Both the parties are responsible for the pitiable state of affairs here. United Front and Left Front parties are forming governments alternatively over the last many years - this is nothing but a secret agreement between both the parties," he alleged.
He also targeted the state government over the issue of safety of women and pointed out that Kerala figures in the top 10 list of states that are unsafe for women.
"Kerala figures in the top 10 states that have been termed as unsafe for women. Out of these 10, six are governed by Congress governments. However, none of these are governed by the BJP government," he said.
He also referred to the killing of two fishermen by Italian marines and said, "The government should clearly say where those marines are now. Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, defense minister A K Antony and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not give enough attention to the issue nor did they take any concrete steps."
On the problems faced by areca growers, he said, "Neither the centre nor the state government responded to the problems faced by areca growers. Areca farmers from Kasargod came to Gujarat to meet me. I gave them every assistance they required. Thousands of people are suffering due to the adverse effects of endosulfan. Packages have been released for them, but they have not reached their hands."
He also lamented that due to dearth of opportunities, youngsters in Kerala are migrating to other states or countries and sending money orders to their parents here. "Kerala is running on money-order economy," he remarked, adding "Is the government doing anything for Keralites who are toiling abroad, without being given sufficient leaves and whose passports are also taken away?"
Attacking the Congress which backs UDF in the state, he said, "Congress party is like a watermelon, green on the outside and red on the inside."
"This time the Lotus will bloom in Kerala," he declared.
BJP state president V Muralidharan, BJP national committee member Madikai Kammaran, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mangalore Nalin Kumar Kateel, Kasargod candidate K Surendran, P C Mohan Master, M Sanjeeva Shetty and others were present.
Narendra Modi arrived at Mangalore and then proceeded to Kasargod by helicopter. He was given a warm welcome at Kasargod Government College ground by BJP leaders.