Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, on Friday, expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA in Kerala, asserting that the alliance is receiving widespread support across communities and is set to register "record" gains in the state.
Speaking to IANS in Kollam, Union Minister Rijiju said the BJP candidate Pratap Kumar is garnering significant public backing. "I am here in Kollam. Our candidate, BJP candidate, Pratap Kumar, is getting lots of support from all sections of society. He is a very popular doctor here, one of the finest doctors in our country.
So we are very happy," he added. Highlighting the NDA's outreach, Union Minister Rijiju said the NDA is receiving "blessings from the people of Kerala" and positioned the BJP as a viable alternative to the state's traditional political forces. Kerala has historically witnessed a bipolar contest between the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF.
Assuring inclusivity for all people, the Union Minister said the Centre is committed to the welfare of all citizens. "Whatever we (Centre) do, we are doing it for the welfare and well-being of the people of India. We will take along every community," he said, while launching a sharp attack on the Congress.
He alleged that the Congress engages in appeasement politics and has failed minority communities. Union Minister Rijiju also accused the Congress of attempting to mislead the Christian community and claimed that voters in Kerala have now "understood the game plan" of both the Congress and the Communist parties.
"For so many years, only these two groups have been exchanging power. Now it is time for a third party to get a chance -- BJP and NDA," he asserted. Praising Narendra Modi, Union Minister Rijiju described him as "the most popular leader not only in India, but across the globe", and credited the NDA government with significant development work in Kerala over the past decade.
"People are supporting it (NDA), and people are going to give blessings to our BJP and NDA candidates," he added. When asked about expectations from the upcoming Assembly elections, Union Minister Rijiju expressed optimism, saying the NDA would secure "very good numbers, record numbers of seats".
Responding to remarks by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Rijiju dismissed them, saying, "Nobody takes Rahul Gandhi seriously now."