PM Narendra Modi says Kerala didn't vote for us but it is as much mine as is Varanasi
Prime Minister Modi visited Kerala to offer prayers at the Guruvayur temple and also address party workers after BJP failed to open its account in the state.
In Short
- PM Modi addressed a group of BJP workers in Kerala's Guruvayur on Saturday
- He said that although the state didn't vote for BJP, Kerala is much his as is Varanasi
- Modi also reminded Kerala govt that the LDF govt has not signed up for Ayushmaan Bharat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala to offer prayers at the Sri Krishna temple in Guruvayur. After offering prayers, Modi addressed party workers in Guruvayur to thank them for their work despite BJP failing to win a single seat in the state that was swept by the Congress.
Addressing a public meeting, PM Modi said that people wonder why he is visiting Kerala even when the state didn't vote for him. He said, "Kerala didn't vote for the BJP but it is as much mine as is Varanasi. Elections and democratic practices are different things that need to be honoured."
"Some pundits think that BJP could not open its account in Kerala but Modi is going there to thank people. What is in his mind? But this is our culture, our thinking," said PM Modi.
"Be it Udupi, Guruvayur or Dwarkadhish, for us - the people of Gujarat, there is an emotional connect. Coming from Gujarat, the land of Dwarkadhish, to Guruvayur gives one a special feeling," he said.
PM Modi also vowed to provide all kinds of support to Kerala to deal with the Nipah virus crisis after a case was detected recently.
He also reminded the people of Kerala that the ruling LDF government has refused to join the Centre's ambitious Ayushmaan Bharat scheme that provides medical insurance to the poor.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi offered prayers at the famed Lord Krishna temple on Saturday morning.
He also performed the thulabharam ritual for which the temple authorities had reportedly arranged over 100 kg of lotus flowers.
The ritual is an important offering to Lord Krishna wherein a person is weighed against a commodity such as flowers, grains, fruits and similar articles and the equal value or quantity is offered as donation.
In a tweet, the prime minister said that he prayed for the country's progress and prosperity at the "iconic" temple.
"The Guruvayur Temple is divine and magnificent. Prayed at this iconic Temple for the progress and prosperity of India," Modi tweeted.
He also posted a photo of himself performing the thulabharam ritual at the temple. "A blessed moment from the Guruvayur Temple," he wrote.
Modi also offered kadali fruit, lotus flowers and ghee to the deity.