Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi hit the campaign trail in Kerala today, escalating political fervour ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections

Kerala gears up for a major political showdown today with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi hosting rallies in the state. This high-profile campaigning comes as a precursor to the Lok Sabha elections slated for next year, putting the spotlight, particularly on the contested seat of Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram.

Prime Minister Modi’s agenda includes attending two key public functions aimed at bolstering BJP’s presence in the southern state. His tour will commence with a public meeting this morning at Kunnamangalam, situated in the Alathur constituency of Thrissur District. Modi aims to drum up support for NDA candidates TN Sarasu and Suresh Gopi, who are contesting from Alathur and Thrissur respectively. Subsequently, Modi will travel to Kattakkada in Thiruvananthapuram District where he will campaign for V Muraleedharan and Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Notably, Chandrasekhar faces a direct contest with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram.

Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, is also charting a packed schedule in Kerala. The Congress leader’s itinerary includes a rally this evening in northern Kozhikode, part of a broader tour across his Lok Sabha constituency of Wayanad. Gandhi’s focus is on securing a successive term, building on his previous record margin victory in 2019. Besides Kozhikode, Gandhi’s campaign trail will also lead him to Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Alappuzha, among other districts, culminating in a series of engagements on April 22.

These rallies come at a crucial time as polling in Kerala is scheduled for April 26, covering all 20 constituencies. The BJP is looking to expand its foothold following a significant increase in vote share in the 2019 elections, where actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi’s candidacy saw a substantial boost from the 2014 results. Modi’s frequent visits to Kerala, including a major roadshow last March, underscore the importance the BJP places on the state in its electoral strategy.

The Congress, led by Gandhi, is equally determined to consolidate its influence, having initiated its campaign efforts early this month in Wayanad. Gandhi’s aggressive campaign strategy, marked by roadshows and public gatherings, aims to sway voters in a state traditionally known for its tight political contests.

As Modi and Gandhi canvass across Kerala, the electoral battle intensifies, setting the stage for what is likely to be one of the most closely watched contests in the upcoming national elections. Both leaders are pulling out all stops in a bid to sway public opinion in their favour, underlining the strategic importance of Kerala in their national electoral calculus.