Kamal Ghorui
THIRUVALLA: PM Narendra Modi said at an NDA election rally on Saturday that Lok Sabha seats would not be reduced in the southern states, which have successfully controlled their populations, and that the total number of seats would increase to benefit states across the country.“There are rumours being spread that seats will be reduced in south Indian states, but this is completely untrue. Parliament will take steps to ensure that their seats are fully protected. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra, Goa, Telangana, and others that have done well in population control must not lose any Lok Sabha seats even if their population growth is lower,” the PM said.Modi said LDF and UDF are accusing each other of being BJP’s “B-team” as they know the saffron party is the “A-team” in Kerala. “The hostility shown by LDF and UDF in Kerala is fake. They are friends behind the curtains in Kerala and are part of the INDIA bloc in other states,” he said, adding both were spreading lies about proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.On the Sabarimala gold scam, Modi said the temple has become “a target of loot” for both fronts. “If NDA comes to office, all those involved in the case will be punished appropriately,” he said.“NDA is committed to Kerala’s development. What was not achieved in the last 50 years will be accomplished by the NDA govt in five years. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the PM said.The countdown for LDF govt has begun, and, for the first time, an NDA govt will come to power, Modi asserted.‘Target Stalin govt on TN’s financial situation’In Chennai, chairing a meeting to review poll preparedness with members of BJP’s Tamil Nadu core committee at a hotel on Saturday, Modi directed them to come up with a counter-narrative to DMK during the election campaign. He instructed senior functionaries to target the M K Stalin-led govt on the state’s financial situation and what the party described as failure to effectively utilise funds from the Centre. The PM also held one-on-one discussions with some BJP politicians.
