PM Narendra Modi’s Kerala roadshow runs into row over ‘missing’ candidate; he says wasn’t invited

The roadshow, however, ran into a controversy with the ruling LDF accusing the BJP of “sidelining NDA’s Muslim candidate” during the event.

Highlighting the absence of BJP’s Malappuram candidate M Abdul Salam, CPI(M)’s central committee member A K Balan alleged that his name was dropped from the roadshow due to his “Muslim identity”. Balan claimed that it conveyed a “wrong message”, an allegation which Salam refuted, saying there was no discrimination.

“I went to Palakkad to meet Modi and invite him to campaign in Malappuram. I had a desire to be a part of the roadshow, but my name was not in the list of leaders for the event. The other two candidates are from Palakkad district,” he said.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, reminding the PM that he had once compared Kerala to Somalia. “Will the PM finally apologise… for his misleading commentary…?” he asked.