"Will establish new centres of eco-tourism in Kerala": PM Modi

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], April 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised Kerala tourism and said that the state has great potential, adding that his government is committed to taking the country's 'Virasat' to the world heritage scale.

Addressing a rally in Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi assured of establishing new centres of eco-tourism in Kerala.

"Kerala tourism has a great potential. We are committed to connecting global tourists with our 'Virasat'. We resolve to take our 'Virasat' to the world heritage scale. BJP will ensure the overall development of big tourist destinations in Kerala. We will establish new centres of eco-tourism in Kerala," PM Modi said.

He further mentioned the festival of Maliyali New Year Vishu and said that we are getting this blessing from the people of Kerala.

"Yesterday was also the festival of Maliyali New Year Vishu. In such auspicious times, we are getting this blessing from the people of Kerala. This blessing is the blessing of a new beginning in Kerala," he added.

The Prime Minister further talked about the BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' which was released by the party on Sunday and that BJP's Sankalp Patra means "Modi's guarantee.""Yesterday in Delhi, BJP has released its Sankalp Patra. The BJP's Sankalp Patra means Modi's guarantee... Under Modi's guarantee, India will become the centre of world-class infrastructure. Under Modi's guarantee, India will achieve a memorable achievement like Gaganyaan in the field of space. Under Modi's guarantee, farmers will continue to get the money of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Along with all this, 3 crore new houses will also be built for the poor. Every citizen above 70 years of age will get free treatment...In the BJP's development approach, a broad roadmap is available for every section and every society in Kerala," he said.

The Prime Minister announced plans to construct 3 crore new houses for the underprivileged and emphasised that every citizen aged 70 and above will receive complimentary healthcare.

"We have decided to provide free medical treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to senior citizens above 70 years of age. Also, around 10 crore women associated with the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be provided training in IT, health, tourism and retail sectors," he said.

The BJP has never been able to win a Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, while the BJP's tally of MLAs in Kerala dwindled to nil in 2021 from the lone seat it won in 2016. Contesting 115 of 140 seats in the 2021 Kerala assembly elections, it secured 11.3 per cent of the total votes polled but failed to win even a single seat.

The BJP's vote share in Kerala was highest in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when it managed to secure around 13 per cent of the total votes polled.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) went on to win 19 of Kerala's 20 seats that year.

All 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state go to the polls in the second phase on April 16. (ANI)