Bhagya Suresh's wedding: PM Modi gifts Mammootty, Mohanlal, and others

Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the wedding ceremony of actor and BJP leader Suresh Gopi's daughter, Bhagya Suresh, at the Guruvayur temple in Kerala on Wednesday. The event saw a confluence of political and entertainment personalities, including renowned actors Mohanlal and Mammootty, as well as BJP's Khushbu Sundar.

PM Modi personally handed the garlands to the bride and groom, presenting gifts to a star-studded audience that included acclaimed actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jayaram, and Dileep.

Before the wedding rituals, PM Modi immersed himself in the spiritual ambience of the temple, offering prayers and performing a thulabharam with lotus buds, a traditional offering. The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt greetings to ten other couples who solemnized their weddings at the temple on the same Wednesday morning.

The Prime Minister, who arrived at Guruvayur at 7:30 am from Kochi, offered prayers at the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, spending almost half an hour in spiritual contemplation. The wedding was a star-studded affair, showcasing the cultural richness of Kerala.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi commenced his two-day visit to Kerala with a lively rally in Kochi. The roadshow, covering a distance of 1.25 km, witnessed a warm reception by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Minister of State V Muraleedharan, and others.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by BJP state president K Surendran, emphasized the party's commitment to strengthening its base in the state with the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in mind.

As part of his visit, PM Modi is set to inaugurate several maritime projects estimated at a staggering cost of over Rs 4,000 crore on Wednesday. These projects include the New Dry Dock (NDD) and the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF), both overseen by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the crucial role CSL plays in India's maritime sector, expressing confidence that these projects would propel CSL's turnover to Rs 7,000 crores within the next four years.

The Prime Minister's visit to Kerala is not merely ceremonial; it is seen as a strategic political move ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. With Suresh Gopi likely to be fielded again in Thrissur district, the BJP aims to secure five to six Lok Sabha seats as identified by the central leadership. Special campaigns are already in progress to strengthen the party's presence in these constituencies.