Latest news with #VikasitaKeralam
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP gears up for civic elections in Kerala
The Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun preparations for the local body elections scheduled for November, having completed a detailed survey of all 941 village panchayats, 87 municipalities and14 district panchayats, people familiar with the matter said. The local body elections will be followed by the assembly elections in the southern state next year. Having set a target of winning at least 250 local bodies, the BJP has revamped its Kerala unit by appointing 16 senior leaders as in-charges of the organisational districts and 1,400 leaders as panchayat and municipal cluster in-charges. 'Preparations for the local body polls are in full swing. After the new state president (Rajeev Chandrashekhar) was appointed in March, the party carried out a detailed study of the gram panchayats, all the 152 block panchayats, six corporations and the district panchayats. This has helped us assess the ground situation and set our targets and work out how many representatives will be contesting the local body polls,' a person aware of the details said. In the previous polls, the BJP had won 22 gram panchayats, two corporations and two municipalities in 2020, when the elections to the 1,199 local bodies were held in three phases. The party, however, drew a blank in the 140-member assembly polls a year later. The person cited above said the state unit will soon begin an electoral training camp for karyakartas (workers) across one lakh (100,000) wards in Kerala through 'Nisha Shilpashala' camps that will be held at 1,400 locations over two weeks. 'Once the training is complete, the workers will begin the task of preparing the booth-level voters lists,' the person said. With an eye on expanding its footprint in the southern state — where it had managed to win one Lok Sabha seat (out of 20) in the previous general elections last year — the BJP has carried out a membership drive and ensured there is representation of different castes and faiths. 'As soon as the new state president's term began, we started work on strengthening booth committees. These committees were formed in just 2,100 of over 25,000 booths, with fewer than 20,000 booth karyakartas (workers). A special campaign was launched in the first week of May to raise this number to over 8,500 booth committees and nearly 90,000 karyakartas,' the person cited above said. In April, the party launched the 'Vikasita Keralam (developed Kerala)' campaign to highlight the 'administrative lapses' of the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan led-LDF government, alleging it led to 'economic slowdown' in the state. 'As part of the Vikasita Keralam collective effort, ward-level teams were formed at the panchayat and municipal levels. Each team had five members, including at least one woman and one from the SC community. As a result, one lakh (100,000) karyakartas—forming the Vikasita Keralam ward teams are ready to hit the ground,' the person said. Booth workers have been identified in all 30 districts in the southern state and 630 office bearers have already been appointed. 'The party has been careful to include representatives from across castes and given space to women as well. Of the 630 office bearers, about 200 are women, 225 from backward communities, 75 from SC/ST communities, 30 are Christians, and over 70% are youth,' the person said. The party has planned to target the Vijayan government over its alleged failure to attract investments leading to high unemployment and inflation among the states. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for 2023-24, Kerala has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in India, at 29.9% for the 15-29 age group.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP's induction of elderly woman sparks controversy in Idukki
Mariakutty, who had begged in protest against govt. delay in pension disbursal, joins BJP. Move leaves Congress, which had built a house for her, perplexed. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) induction of 87-year-old Mariakutty, who made news by begging in protest against the delay in social welfare pension disbursal, has triggered a political controversy in Idukki. Mariakutty, a resident of Adimaly, received her membership from BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during the 'Vikasita Keralam' convention organised by the party at Thodupuzha on Friday. After receiving the membership, the elderly woman criticised the Congress leadership. She claimed that local Congress leaders had ignored her, adding that BJP leaders and cadre had consistently supported her. Active in Congress In July 2024, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) built a house for the woman at 200 Acres, Adimaly, and its key was handed over to her by K. Sudhakaran, the then president of the KPCC. She had been active in the Congress since then, staging protests against the State government. Her sudden decision to join the BJP has left the local Congress leaders too perplexed. During a visit to Thodupuzha on Saturday, KPCC president Sunny Joseph mocked her decision. Mr. Joseph also said that the Congress's wish was that every homeless got houses. Ms. Mariakutty told the media that the Congress local leadership never contacted her after handing over the key to the house. 'BJP MP Suresh Gopi still provides a pension, and the BJP leaders and workers are supportive,' she said. Ms. Mariakutty, along with Annamma Ouseph, 80, had staged a 'begging' protest by holding earthen pots at Adimaly on November 8, 2023, citing delay in disbursal of welfare pensions. The protest had grabbed widespread attention. Meanwhile, former Idukki District Congress Committee general secretary Benny Peruvanthanam joined the BJP on Saturday. He received his membership from Mr. Chandrasekhar during a 'Vikasita Keralam' event at Kattappana. In April, Mr. Peruvanthanam resigned from the Congress in protest against the party's stance on the Waqf Act.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Bringing vision of Vikasita Keralam closer to reality": Kerala BJP Chief praises PM Modi for advancing railway development in state
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 22 (ANI): Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accelerating Kerala's railway development under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. In his X post, Chandrasekhar highlighted that the Modi government is transforming Kerala's rail network, from the launch of Vande Bharat trains to the construction of overbridges. 'Grateful to PM Narendra Modi ji for fast-tracking Kerala's railway development. Through the Amrit Bharat Scheme, 35 railway stations across the state are being upgraded with world-class amenities at a cost of Rs 2,560 crore. Additionally, the Centre allocated Rs 3,042 crore for Kerala's railway projects in the latest Union Budget,' he said. 'From the launch of Vande Bharat trains to construction of overbridges and doubling of tracks, the Modi Government is driving a holistic transformation of Kerala's rail network, bringing the vision of a #VikasitaKeralam closer to reality,' Chandrasekhar said. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, stations have been upgraded with modern amenities to enhance the commuter experience. Meanwhile, in line with his vision to strengthen rail infrastructure, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 103 redeveloped Amrit stations across 86 districts in 18 states and Union Territories today. These projects have been developed at a cost of over Rs 1,100 crore. A statement from the PMO said the redeveloped Amrit stations across India integrate modern infrastructure with cultural heritage, passenger-centric amenities, including those for Divyangjan, and sustainable practices to enhance the travel experience. The redevelopment of these stations aims to enhance the travel experience for passengers while advancing the broader vision of transforming Indian Railways into a world-class transportation service. Amrit Stations being inaugurated in Maharashtra are Amgaon, Chanda Fort, Chinchpokli, Devlali, Dhule, Kedgaon, Lasalgaon, Lonand Junction, Matunga, Murtizapur Junction, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Parel, Savda, Shahad, Wadala Road. In Uttar Pradesh, Balrampur, Bareilly city, Bijnor, Fatehabad, Gola Gokarannath, Goverdhan, Govindpuri, Hathras City, Idgah Agra Junction, Izzatnagar, Karchana, Mailani Junction, Pokhrayan, Ramghat Halt, Saharanpur Junction, Siddharthnagar, Suraimanpur, Swaminarayan Chhapia, and Ujhani will be inaugurated. Tamil Nadu stations Chidambaram, Kulitturai, Mannargudi, Polur, Samalpatti, Srirangam, St Thomas Mount, Tiruvannamalai, and Vriddhachalam Junction are also part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, which the PM will inaugurate. The PM will also flag off the Bikaner-Mumbai express train today. (ANI)
United News of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Unemployment rate in Kerala highest in country, says BJP President
Thiruvananthapuram, May 20 (UNI) Unemployment in Kerala is almost double the national average, BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said. Nine years of LDF misrule have dragged Kerala into a deepening crisis, with the state now bearing the shameful distinction of having the highest unemployment rate in the country, he alleged. "At nearly 7 percent, unemployment in Kerala is almost double the national average." While BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are creating jobs and driving growth, our youth are being forced to migrate in search of livelihood. Flawed policies and a complete lack of visionary leadership lie at the heart of this crisis. Anti-entrepreneurial Communist practices like 'Nokku Kooli' and extortion have created a hostile environment for investors, driving private capital and businessmen out of the state. Kerala has no vibrant startup culture, entrepreneurship-friendly curriculum, or real plan to build one. Instead of addressing these shortcomings, the LDF Government has turned its back on the National Education Policy introduced by the Modi Government, which is aimed at tackling such issues. This can change if there is a change in Kerala's politics. Only the BJP has the vision and will to build a 'VikasitaKeralam,' one that creates real opportunities for our youth within their state. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is already taking concrete steps to turn this vision into reality, he said. UNI DS BD
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar launches Vikasita Kerala campaign
Kicking off the Vikasita Keralam conventions here on Monday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar declared that the slogan 'Vikasita Keralam' is not just rhetoric but a commitment to the people of the State. He slammed the ruling Left government for its financial mismanagement. 'A State where KSRTC employees go unpaid and ASHAs protest for months is spending ₹100 crore on anniversary celebrations. It's a betrayal of public trust,' he said. Mr. Chandrasekhar said the transformation brought by the Narendra Modi government since 2014 is being recognised globally, while Kerala remains in a State of stagnation. 'From a weak, corruption-ridden country to a global economic powerhouse — this is the change the people voted for in 2014. But why hasn't Kerala caught up? From defence to diplomacy, from economy to global respect— India has developed. Yet, Kerala stands still.' He accused the Congress of spreading false propaganda, including blaming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Corruption ran rampant before 2014 and even India's national security was compromised, he alleged. Mr. Chandrasekhar highlighted that global tech giants like Apple are investing just 500 km away in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, creating thousands of jobs — yet none of it is flowing into Kerala. He took a direct swipe at the Kerala Chief Minister for refusing a ₹3,000 increment to ASHAs while celebrating the government's anniversary with a massive budget. 'This is the same government that won't spend to protect coastal communities or help 610 families in Munambam, but finds money to celebrate itself,' he said. The BJP chief asserted that BJP is the only party capable of driving real transformation in the State, he added. Senior BJP leaders including M.T. Ramesh, Sobha Surendran, A.N. Radhakrishnan and many others addressed the convention. Mr. Chandrasekhar also issued strategic guidelines for winning upcoming local body elections during a meeting with district-level office bearers. He also visited an RSS training camp in Thrissur and inaugurated the South District Convention in Kodungallur.
