Amit Shah Sounds Bugle For Assembly Polls, Claims BJP Will Form Government in Kerala in 2026

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Amit Shah on Sunday sounded the bugle for the upcoming assembly elections in Kerala, during his first visit to the state after the BJP's historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation.

Shah urged people to end the “match fixing” between the CPM-led LDF and Congress-led UDF in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Kerala agenda.

The union home minister called on party workers to work hard to bring the BJP to power in the state. He launched the party’s “Viksita Keralam” Mission 2026 agenda in the presence of newly elected local body representatives.

Despite a drop in BJP’s vote share in the local body polls, Shah expressed confidence that his party will come to power in both West Bengal and Kerala.

He criticized the UDF and LDF, for failing to ensure Kerala’s development. “Kerala’s progress is only possible under a BJP government,” he said.

Praising the BJP’s win in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation and other local bodies, Shah remarked, “Our path in Kerala has never been easy. Securing a BJP victory here is a formidable challenge, but our ultimate goal is to form a government under the lotus symbol and bring a BJP Chief Minister.”

He added, “It hasn’t been a smooth journey for the BJP. We had neither power nor government in the state, only dedicated workers. There were attempts to break their confidence, but they stood firm like a mountain and secured victory.”

Shah emphasized that the local body election win was not the final goal and urged the party to work hard toward achieving a BJP Chief Minister in Kerala.

The union home minister said Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047 is the guiding mantra for Kerala and the rest of the country. He noted that the BJP’s vote share in Kerala has grown steadily, from 11 per cent in 2014 to 16 per cent in 2019, and around 20 per cent in 2024.

He expressed confidence that increasing it to 30–40 per cent by 2026 is achievable, citing the party’s expansion in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh as proof that the goal is within reach. “The next opportunity is Kerala, and we will come to power here in 2026,” he said, adding, “Today we have a BJP Mayor in Thiruvananthapuram; tomorrow we will see a BJP Chief Minister in Kerala.”

Accusing the LDF and UDF of shielding Muslim hardline forces, Shah alleged that the PFI, SDPI, and Jamaat-e-Islami make up the vote bank for the two fronts. He asserted that the BJP is the only party capable of protecting Kerala from such forces.

Seeks probe into Sabarimala gold theft case by a neutral agency

Amit Shah took the ruling LDF to task , accusing it of shielding the real culprits behind the gold theft in Sabarimala and called for a detailed investigation by a neutral probe agency.

He said that those who failed to protect the property of the hill shrine could never safeguard the faith of believers in Kerala.

The theft of gold from the Sabarimala temple was not just a concern for the people of Kerala but for devotees across the country.

He alleged that the FIR in the case had been drafted in a way that clearly aimed to protect the accused. He claimed the Congress could not avoid responsibility, as evidence had surfaced of its leaders’ involvement.

Demanding that the Chief Minister hand over the investigation to a neutral agency, he declared that his party would stage protests and door-to-door campaigns, adding, “This is democracy, Vijayan, and you must order a probe by a neutral agency.”

Shah visits Padmanabhaswamy temple, offers prayers

Amit Shah visited the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Sunday morning. He arrived at the north entrance of the temple around 10 am and spent about 20 minutes inside offering prayers.

He was welcomed by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Aditya Varma of the erstwhile Travancore Royal family, and senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan. His visit coincided with the ongoing Murajapa, the six-yearly continuous Vedic chanting ritual held at the temple.