KOCHI, Kerala, 05/04/2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah receives a painting depicting the resurrection of Jesus from Twenty20 Party founder Sabu M. Jacob during a campaign visit to Kunnathunad, Kolenchery on Easter Sunday. Photo : RK Nithin | Photo credit: RK Nithin
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a “start-up with a name change”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Sunday, accusing the former of claiming credit for several centrally funded projects.
Addressing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) election rally in Kunnathunad Assembly constituency, the Union minister said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in the state is taking credit for the Union government’s plans to provide free rations and accommodation to the poor and the construction of National Highway 66.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated the launch of thousands of start-ups in the country. Mr. Vijayan also started one of them. It is a start-up with a name change. The Modi government announces policies and projects and allocates funds. Mr. Vijayan still takes credit for them,” Shah said.
Referring to the improvement in the NDA’s vote share in the state from 14% in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to 20% in 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said it was time for an NDA government in Kerala. “The upcoming Kerala assembly elections are not just for changing the government but also for securing the future of the state,” he said. He wished the Christian community on Easter and urged them to support the NDA in forming the government in Kerala.
‘Habitual Liar’
Mr Shah also came down heavily on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him a habitual liar. He said Mr. Gandhi had falsely claimed that fuel prices had shot up in the country, when in fact prices had skyrocketed in Pakistan. “There has been no increase in fuel prices or any rationing system in the country. This is because of the efficient management practices followed by PM Modi,” Mr Shah said.
AIIMS in two years
Enumerating the NDA’s poll promises for the state, the Union minister said the first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state would be operational within two years if the BJP-led alliance is elected to power. He said the investigation into the Sabarimala gold scandal would be handed over to the CBI and those behind it would be jailed within seven days.
He said that the NDA government will make Thiruvananthapuram an IT innovation hub and Kollam a blue economy hub. Kozhikode will become a center for healthcare and Thrissur for cultural tourism. According to him, Kannur will turn into a hub of defense innovation.
Published – 05 Apr 2026 21:41 IST
