Edited by Deepali Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a mass gathering of close to two lakh women that was organised by the BJP’s state unit in Kerala’s Thrissur on January 3. PM Modi, per his schedule, conducted a roadshow in the city. Later, he also addressed the gathering at Thekkinkadu ground.
The town was decked up with various banners and hoardings to welcome the prime minister while the women were seen waiting for PM Modi’s arrival just to catch a glimpse of him. One of the women remarked, “Our PM Modi is the most respected leader and he is visiting Kerala to address the woman here…we are here to get a glimpse of him.”
The event, titled ‘Sthree Shakthi Modikk Oppam’ (Empower Women with Modi) was organised to commend PM Modi for the successful passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill in both houses of the Parliament.
Women coming in from diverse backgrounds, such as anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers, entrepreneurs, artists, MGNREGA and neighbourhood network workers, and social and cultural activists, took part in the convention.
Presence of several notable figures such as the actress-danseuse Shobhana, cricketer Minnu Mani, entrepreneur Beena Kannan, singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi and Mariyakutty, an elderly woman who have raised their voice against corruption and red-tapism were expected to attend the event.
The Kerala event is considered to be the official launch of the saffron camp’s election campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP seeks to make political inroads into Kerala, currently dominated by the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF.
