Thrissur Welcomes PM Modi with Grand Roadshow in Kerala

The city of Thrissur in Kerala was bathed in saffron hues on January 3 during the roadshow of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A vibrant display of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) flags, saffron balloons, ribbons, festoons, and banners transformed the city into a sea of saffron. The roadshow, part of the Prime Minister's visit following a two-day trip to Lakshadweep, was organized in conjunction with the 'Women's Power with Modi' conference, held by the Kerala unit of the BJP to express gratitude for the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill.

BJP enthusiasts began gathering in Thrissur early in the morning, carrying cut-outs of Prime Minister Modi, drums, and chanting slogans. While only women were permitted inside the conference venue, men thronged the sides of the Swaraj Round, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

The excitement peaked as Prime Minister Modi's cavalcade reached Kuttanellur in Thrissur at 3:10 p.m. Riding in an open vehicle from the General Hospital junction to Naikanal, the conference venue, Modi walked the remaining distance. Spectators cheered and shouted slogans as Modi acknowledged the crowd.

Accompanying the Prime Minister during the roadshow were actor and BJP leader Suresh Gopi and the party's State president K. Surendran. Although officially a women's conference, the event is widely seen as the informal launch of the BJP's election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Suresh Gopi is anticipated to be the party's candidate for Thrissur, a constituency where the BJP is aspiring for success.

Thrissur had been under tight security for days in anticipation of the visit, with around 3,000 police personnel deployed for security and traffic management. Approximately 1,000 women police personnel were stationed at the conference venue. The Swaraj Round and adjacent lanes witnessed the closure of all shops, and traffic in lanes leading to the Swaraj Round was halted from 11 a.m., with double-layer barricades in place to ensure the security of the roadshow.

(With Agency Inputs)