'Victory in Thiruvananthapuram nothing short of landmark'; PM Modi to Mayor-led delegation

NEW DELHI: “Important duty is to earn trust without disappointing anyone. It is expected of you to be with people 24 hours a day,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh and BJP councillors.

The Prime Minister conducted a class for the delegation that lasted from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday. PM Modi was walking continuously through the room while giving instructions and advice to the councillors, in a manner recreating a college classroom atmosphere.

While interacting with BJP representatives who won from local bodies in Kerala, PM Modi assured all support to help make Thiruvananthapuram a better city, according to the plans devised by the BJP leadership. PM Modi also mentioned how popular councillors in local bodies in Gujarat have won from the same ward for 50 consecutive years. Union minister George Kurian translated Modi’s speech into Malayalam.

During the tea party, the Prime Minister went to the councillors for casual talks. He inquired about the special features of the ward they represented.

Prime Minister advised the group consisting of Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Asha Nath that he views the victory in Thiruvananthapuram with great importance and that they should emerge as a model for the entire country by performing excellent work.

BJP President Nitin Nabin, State President Rajiv Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and others were present.

C. Sadanandan Master MP, Kerala, in-charge Prakash Javadekar, co-chairmen Shobha Karandlaje, Aparajita Sarangi, General Secretaries Vinod Tawde, B.L. Santosh, State leaders Anoop Antony, Karamana Jayan, K. Soman, Adv. S. Suresh, BJP Media Convener Sandeep Somnath and others were also present.

Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Vinod Tawde held a class at the BJP headquarters in the morning. Khattar pointed out that since urban and rural development come combined in Kerala, it is difficult to provide funds only for urban development alone. He also said that Kerala has not signed the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The delegation, which visited the Parliament House, met Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda hosted a dinner. On Friday, the delegation will meet President Droupadi Murmu and return in the evening.