New Delhi, Dec 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala for two days from Dec 14.
Modi will travel to the temple town of Thrissur today to address a workers meet that state BJP leaders say will have nearly two lakh workers in attendance. Prominent religious leaders like the Thrissur Arch Bishop and the Maulavi of Kodungaloor Cheraman Masjid, one of the oldest mosques in the country, have also been invited.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who was invited as one of the main the guests initially, was apparently asked to skip the unveiling of the statue of former chief minister R Shankar that the prime minister will preside over, citing it was a private function. The unveiling will take place in south Kollam district on Tuesday.
Chandy’s name was initially inscribed on a marble plaque for the event. But the plaque was replaced with another carrying the name of the backward Ezhava leader, Vellapally Natesan, and the general secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP).
With the change in guests and subsequent boycott of MPs, Modi, who was earlier slotted for 15 minutes, will address the function for up to 35 minutes.
With four months left for crucial assembly elections in Kerala, the state BJP is counting on PM Modi to set the tone for its campaign and hopes to give a tough three-cornered contest in at least 30 seats.
The prime minister will also visit the Sivagiri Mutt, birthplace of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru.
According to the police, about 2,000 officers headed by five superintendents have been deployed to ensure security.
Modi will also attend a commanders’ meet off the coast of Kochi on Tuesday before he leaves Kerala.
