LDF, UDF two sides of same coin, support BJP: Nadda at Kerala event

BJP president J P Nda on Sunday took aim at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over gold smuggling case detected at Thiruvananthapuram airport, and also accused him of "messing up" COVID-19 situation in state by "suppressing" figures.

He alleged that Left government in state was "inefficient, corrupt and believes in violence".

Speaking from national capital at inauguration of a party office in Kerala's Kasaragod district, Nda said CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF were two sides of same coin and sought people's support for his party.

With BJP having been unable to make a serious political impact in sourn state despite its increased vote share in recent polls, Nda accused LDF and UDF of joining hands to keep his party at bay.

He asserted that saffron party was determined to emerge victorious in state.

Assembly elections in Kerala are due next year.

Despite BJP having Lok Sabha MP and only one MLA from Kerala, Modi government has left stone unturned for state's development, Nda said.

Questioning role of chief minister's office in gold smuggling case, he said Vijayan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a thorough probe in matter.

"We have a saying 'chor ki dahi mein tinka' (A thief is always suspicious). This means office of chief minister is also involved somewhere... colour of gold is yellow everywhere but in Kerala, it is red, red and red. What is relationship between that IT officer and CM's personal secretary?" he asked.

Kerala government h removed IAS officer M Sivasankar, who was secretary to chief minister and IT principal secretary, following allegations that he h close links with a woman suspect in case.

official has gone on a year's leave and case is being probed by National Investigation ncy (NIA).

"Misappropriation of funds, atrocities against Dalits and women, nepotism in political appointments and political patron are prevalent under Pinarayi government. t only is it inefficient but it is also corrupt. It also believes in violence," Nda said.

Over 270 BJP workers have been killed in "CPI(M)-sponsored" political violence in last two deces, he claimed.

coronavirus situation in Kerala, BJP chief alleged, was messed up by Left government as it suppressed actual figures and did t pay heed to experts' calls for ramping up testing facilities.

"It has played politics at a time of crisis," he said, ding that over 1.21 lakh people brought to state as part of Vande Bharat Mission were t given equate help.

On or hand, Modi government has left " stone unturned" to push development in state, he said.

Nda claimed more than Rs 2 lakh crore has been given for development of railway infrastructure, Rs 64,000 crore for national highways and Rs 3,400 crore for developing Cochin shipyard to state.

prime minister has an "emotional bonding" with Kerala, he said, highlighting Modi's interactions with its diaspora during his visits to Gulf countries.

Though BJP has Lok Sabha MP from state, party has given it representation in Rajya Sabha and a voice in Union government by making V Muraleedharan a minister, he ded.

Seeking to corner Left government, Nda accused it of trying to "destroy" faith of Sabarimala devotees and alleged that Guruvayur Temple Devasthanam manment was "forced" to deposit funds into chief minister's relief fund.

"This is t only unconstitutional but also an insult to donation given by devotees and a betrayal to m," BJP president said.

Nda also attacked Congress leer Rahul Gandhi, who is a Lok Sabha MP from state, for his criticism of Modi government on border standoff with China.

country was aware of Gandhi's patriotism, he said wryly, ding that Congress leer h "secretly" met Chinese envoy in India during Doklam crisis and "misled" nation before people got to kw about it when envoy put out information.

Gandhi skipped 11 meetings of Parliament's committee on defence, and this shows his dedication to issue, Nda said.

He accused Congress leer of "demoralising" country's defence forces.