Kerala BJP reaches out to Christian houses with PM Modi’s Xmas message

In the lush hills of Kerala's Kannur district, the BJP's Sneha Yatra is trying to make waves as the party seeks to bridge the gap between the Congress and the Christian population. The team, led by local leaders Aji Kumar and Arun Thomas, traverses winding roads, passing rubber plantations adorned with festive stars—a common sight in households celebrating Christmas.

Their mission: to deliver Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Christmas message to Christian homes, dispelling misconceptions about the BJP. The outreach initiative, running from December 22 to December 31, targets a community traditionally aligned with the Congress.

As the BJP leaders navigate the Congress stronghold of Irikkur Assembly constituency, they encounter mixed sentiments. Many express their joy over banning the Popular Front of India but remain apprehensive about the Manipur violence and the price of rubber, the most common produce in the area.

Rubber prices emerge as a critical concern, with farmers expressing conditional support based on market fluctuations. However, in a familiar refrain, the BJP attributes the falling rubber prices to the previous UPA government, led by the Congress, despite the BJP being in power for the last nine years.

They attribute the rubber crisis to the previous UPA government, a narrative echoed at each doorstep they visit.

Eruvessi, under the Irikkur Assembly, poses a challenge for the BJP, historically overshadowed by Congress in a constituency with a significant Christian population. Despite limited presence in only 25 out of 93 booths, the BJP sees an opportunity in the growing divide between Congress and Christians.

Beyond local dynamics, the BJP strategically taps into global issues, leveraging discontent over Kerala's ruling CPI(M) and Congress's pro-Palestine stance during the Israel-Hamas conflict. At Chemperi, a rally supporting Israel, backed by the BJP, showcases a potential alignment of interests.

One of the farmers in the area highlighted the shift in allegiance among Christians, stating that many now pin their hopes on the BJP, especially if the party addresses the rubber price issue. However, scepticism remains about the BJP's electoral success in Kerala.

During their visits, the BJP leaders encounter concerns about attacks on Christian churches in north Indian states, prompting reassurances of unity within Indian culture. The BJP's Sneha Yatra expands its team with Renjith V V and Benny Augustine, emphasizing a focus on residents' experiences during Modi's nine-year premiership.

At each farmer's doorstep, inquiries about implementing central government schemes, including the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, demonstrate a strategic effort to highlight the BJP's governance achievements.

As the Sneha Yatra progresses, it becomes evident that the BJP aims not only to deliver Christmas messages but also to navigate intricate local dynamics, tapping into global issues and addressing economic concerns to secure a foothold in traditionally challenging territories. The success of this outreach initiative may well shape the BJP's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.