Kerala as dear to me as Varanasi, says PM Modi in Guruvayur
Guruvayur: Having won a massive mandate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said political parties and pundits failed to gauge the public mood ahead of the Lok Sabha election and thanked the electorate for reposing confidence in the saffron party.
Back in office after coming to power for a successive second term, Modi said he visited Kerala despite having no MP from the state since it was as dear to him as his constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Terming the just-concluded Lok Sabha election a "festival of democracy," Modi lauded and thanked the electorate of Kerala for their contribution to it.
The country has seen that "people are God" in elections, he said at the 'Abhinandan Sabha' organised by the BJP's Kerala unit. Earlier, he offered prayers at the famed Lord Krishna temple here.
"Political parties and political pundits could not gauge people's mood. So did those involved in conducting (poll) surveys. But people gave a strong mandate to the BJP," he said and thanked the voters for choosing his party.
The recent polls proved that people rejected "negativity" and accepted positivity, he said.
"The 2019 Lok Sabha elections marked a victory for positivity and a resounding rejection of negativity. With this spirit, let us all work together to build a new India," Modi said.
The prime minister's statement assumes significance in the wake of Congress president Rahul Gandhi reviving his attack on Modi accusing him and the BJP of spreading "hatred and intolerance" in the country.
"Modi might have money. He might have media by his side... He might have rich friends with him but the Congress party will continue to fight against the intolerance created by the BJP," Gandhi had said Friday holding a roadshow in his Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency to thank voters for electing him.
On visiting Kerala Saturday, Modi said some would have even wondered why he chose the southern state despite the BJP "not opening its account" from here in parliament.
"I come to Kerala with a deep sense of gratitude to the people," the prime minster said, adding "Yes, our party did not win a seat here but I will serve the state with great vigour and deepen the bond with its wonderful citizens."
Modi chose to wear traditional Kerala dress during his first visit to the state after assuming the charge as prime minister for a second consecutive term. He said an elected leader is common to all.
"Elections have their place in democracy and it is the responsibility of the inner to take care of the 130 crore people. Those who made us win or those ho did not, both are our (people). Kerala is as dear to me as Varanasi," Modi said.
The prime minister said the BJP is not working for mere electoral politics and is keen on building the country and ensuring that India gets its place of pride in the international arena.
"We are not in politics to only form a government. We are here to serve the people of the country. People choose their 'jan pratinidhi' for five years, but we are 'jan sevak', committed to serving the people life long," Modi said.
On the Nipah virus issue, he said the Centre was working "shoulder-to-shoulder" with the Kerala government to provide all required assistance.
"Cases of Nipah virus have surfaced in Kerala. I assure the Centre's full support to the state government and the people of Kerala regarding all facilities required to tackle the situation. The state and Centre will work shoulder-to-shoulder to fight the spread of Nipah virus," he said.
Urging the people not to panic, the prime minister also said the Centre was monitoring the situation closely.
In his speech, Modi sought to bring emotional link the people of his home state Gujarat have with the places of significance with Lord Krishna including Dwarka, Guruvayur and Udupi.
"I have got a chance to come to this land of Guruvayur once again. This is a source of inspiration," he said in his speech made soon after offering prayers at famous Lord Krishna temple.
The prime minister said his government has has made a separate ministry for fishermen and animal husbandry to strengthen the economy of the country's coastal and rural areas.
He also said the government has decided to run a vaccination drive across the country for animals to eliminate ailments like the foot and mouth disease.
Modi urged the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala to implement his government's flagship health initiative, Ayushman Bharat. Later in the day, the prime minister left for the Maldives from the Cochin International Airport, a Kerala government official said.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
