PM Modi’s Strategic Thrissur Visit Sets Tone for BJP’s Kerala Election Campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a visit to Thrissur city in Kerala on January 3, marking a crucial move by the BJP ahead of the general elections. The visit includes a roadshow and an address to a women’s meeting, organized as a thanksgiving for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. The BJP anticipates a significant turnout of over 2 lakh women, strategically aiming to garner support across party lines. Diverse attendees, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, MGNREGA workers, entrepreneurs, and social activists, are expected at the event.

This strategic move aligns with the BJP’s aspirations to secure the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat. The party is considering fielding actor Suresh Gopi from the constituency, and his posters have already surfaced in the city. Gopi, who previously contested the Thrissur constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 assembly elections, adds weight to the BJP’s campaign in the region.

Responding to queries about the significance of Modi’s visit to Thrissur, Kerala BJP President K. Surendran emphasized that Modi has previously visited key locations in the state, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the BJP’s engagement. The BJP, aiming for a stronger electoral presence in Kerala, particularly eyes the Thrissur constituency as a potential stronghold. The party’s performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2021 assembly polls laid the groundwork for this strategic approach, with the BJP-led NDA securing second place in Thiruvananthapuram. While the BJP currently holds only one assembly seat in Kerala, the Thrissur visit signals a concerted effort to expand its electoral footprint in the state.