PM Modi hails BJP Win in Thiruvananthapuram Civic Polls
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh presented PM Modi with symbolic gifts and discussed the city's development challenges, highlighting the need for support in upcoming Delhi meetings for growth by 2030.
By : PTI
Update: 2026-01-23 16:32 GMT
Thiruvananthapuram: Celebrating a significant political win in the long-time Left stronghold of Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared warm moments with civic leaders at a public event here.
Modi warmly embraced Mayor V V Rajesh, patted him on the back and raised his hand as they waved to the large crowd gathered at Putharikandam Maidan.
As Deputy Mayor Asha Nath bent to touch the PM's feet, Modi bowed before her with folded hands. He made a similar gesture towards Karamana Jayan, BJP Thiruvananthapuram (Central) district president.
BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and NDA convener Tushar Vellappally welcomed the prime minister and presented him with idols of Lord Ayyappa.
Rajesh gifted Modi figurines of Lord Ganapathy and Lord Vishnu reclining on the serpent Anantha.
In his address, the mayor said a blueprint outlining the problems faced by the state capital and its development potential had been presented to the PM.
"However, this is not complete. After holding conclaves, as suggested by Chandrasekhar, in February, we will meet the PM in Delhi and place before him our requirements to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the top three cities in the country by 2030," Rajesh said.
Addressing the gathering, Modi alleged that both the LDF and the UDF had "neglected Thiruvananthapuram for decades, depriving the city of basic facilities and infrastructure."
"The Left and the Congress have consistently failed to address the needs of the people. Our BJP team has already begun working towards a developed Thiruvananthapuram. I ask the people of the city to have faith the long-overdue change is on its way," he said.
Modi said Thiruvananthapuram would emerge "as a model city for the country" and assured full support to make it one of the best cities in India.
Meanwhile, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty termed the alleged exclusion of the Thiruvananthapuram Mayor from the official welcoming committee that received the prime minister at the airport as "objectionable".
Sivankutty said the exclusion "amounted to an insult to the people of Thiruvananthapuram and violated federal principles", as the Mayor was the first citizen of the city.
He questioned whether internal differences within the BJP led to the Mayor's exclusion or whether Rajesh was deemed unfit to receive the PM.
Later in the day, Rajesh rejected Sivankutty's contentions and said that as the PM was coming to the Putharikandam Maidan, it was decided he would receive Modi there.
"It was a decision taken a day before. If I had gone to the airport, it would have been difficult to take part in the events at the Putharikandam Maidan. Even the Thiruvananthapuram MP's name was not in the list (of those receiving PM at airport).
"Even Rajeev Chandrasekhar did not go to the airport as his vehicle would not have permission to be part of the PM's convoy," he said.
Regarding the warm moment shared on-stage with the PM, Rajesh said that he had seen Modi in the past and shaken hands with him.
It was the PM's love for the workers that was reflected in his gestures on-stage, he added.
"What was seen on-stage was how the Centre and the PM will hold close the city of Thiruvananthapuram in the coming days," the mayor said.