Addressing a public rally in Ernakulam ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Kerala, Modi accused the opposition of attempting to create fear during a global crisis.
“Congress and the Left made the country dependent on foreign nations. Today they are together spreading rumours. Even during this time of war, they and their ecosystem are putting all their strength into creating fear in the country,” he said, urging citizens to remain cautious.
The PM said the ongoing crisis once again highlighted the importance of the government’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat, particularly in the energy sector. Over the past few years, the government had taken several steps to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen domestic capacity, he added.
Modi also thanked Gulf nations for ensuring the safety of Indian citizens in the region and said Indian missions were extending round-the-clock assistance. “Our embassies are helping them 24×7. Be it food, medical or legal help, everything is being provided,” he said.
At the same time, he criticised the opposition for politicising the issue. “It is unfortunate that even during such global crises, Congress is doing politics and making remarks that can worsen the situation and put people in trouble,” he said.
Pitching for the National Democratic Alliance in Kerala, Modi said the alliance would work to create a better environment for investment and remove hurdles such as red tape and disruptions to business.“The BJP-NDA will do justice to the immense talent of Kerala. We will work to make the state a major hub for artificial intelligence and future technologies while revitalising the skill development ecosystem,” he said.
Highlighting welfare initiatives for fishermen in coastal Kerala, Modi said the Centre had prioritised the development of the community. India has become the world’s second-largest fish producer over the past decade, he said, attributing the growth to policy support.
He added that the government had extended Kisan Credit Card benefits to fishermen, enabling more than four lakh of them across the country to access affordable loans, along with insurance coverage of over Rs 5 lakh.
The PM also cited the Vizhinjam International Seaport as an example of the Centre’s focus on strengthening India’s blue economy.
