PM Modi to Visit Tamil Nadu, Kerala Today as BJP Eyes to Maximise Prospects in South Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha Elections
In the last general elections, the BJP had drawn a blank in the 20 seats of Kerala, whereas, it had won 1 out of the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
New Delhi, January 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala today as part of his official itenary. The visit also assumes significance as it comes days ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, which is being doubted by pollsters to script another clean sweep in the Hindi heartland, is aiming to maximise its prospects in the peripheries of the nation.
Modi would first be landing in Madurai, where he would be laying the foundation stone for the recently announced unit of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Following a public address in Madurai, he would be visiting Rajaji, Thanjavur and Tirunelveli medical colleges to inaugurate the super speciality blocks. PM Modi Flays Communists at Kollam Rally, Says 'Kerala Govt's Conduct on Sabarimala Issue Shameful'.
The Prime Minister would subsequently fly to Thrissur in Kerala, where he is scheduled to address a poll rally. Modi's next stop would be Kochi, where he would be dedicating integrated refinery expansion project, under the aegis of state-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, at a cost of Rs 16,500 crore.
According to the senior BJP leaders of South India, the visit by Modi will end up boosting the Centre's positive perception among the electorate. H Raja, the Tamil Nadu-based national secretary of the party, said, "It will be an opportunity to showcase the developmental projects brought to Tamil Nadu by the BJP-led central government."
"About 1 crore people have benefited from the Mudra loan scheme in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, 3,000 km of highway projects are being implemented in the state. That apart, many families have received gas connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana," he told news agency IANS.
Another BJP veteran, on the condition of anonymity, said the party top brass has zeroed in on 4-5 constituencies in Kerala where it stands a chance of dislodging the Congress and the CPI(M).
In the last general elections, the BJP had drawn a blank in the 20 seats of Kerala, whereas, it had won 1 out of the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 27, 2019 09:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).