Modi will visit temple town Guruvayur on 17 January to bless actor-turned-BJP politician Suresh Gopi's daughter Bhagya on her marriage.
Bhagya presents a replica of BJP symbol to Modi in Delhi with Gopi and his wife Radhika Nair. (Supplied)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the temple town of Guruvayur in Kerala, which falls within the Thrissur constituency, on Wednesday, 17 January, to bless actor-turned-BJP politician Suresh Gopi’s daughter Bhagya on her marriage.
Many are seeing this move as a clear reflection of the BJP national leadership’s resolve to wrest the Thrissur seat in Kerala by any means in the fast-approaching Lok Sabha elections.
The roadshow by Modi in Thrissur. (Supplied)
A fortnight has gone by since Modi conducted a roadshow and addressed a mammoth women’s rally in Thrissur accompanied by Gopi — the party’s potential candidate from the constituency and its prime face across the state — to kick off the campaign.
Now, the prime minister is using the occasion of Bhagya’s high-profile marriage with businessman Sreyas Mohan as another opportunity to boost the political prospects of Gopi, who enjoys superstar status in the Malayalam tinsel world.
Before attending the marriage function, Modi will offer prayers at the famed Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple to further the chances of Gopi.
After the marriage ceremony, the prime minister is expected to continue his temple run by visiting the Sri Rama Temple at Thriprayar, which also falls under the same constituency.
Among the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, the BJP focuses primarily on Thrissur, and this time it is banking largely on the popularity of Gopi.
So far, the party has yet to win even a single Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. In the case of the state Assembly, party veteran O Rajagopal won only once, and that too by a thin majority amidst a divided mandate.
A chosen and beloved option of the BJP’s national leadership, Gopi unsuccessfully contested from Thrissur in 2019 to the Lok Sabha and the 2021 Assembly election.
However, the action hero still hopes he will be the right choice for the party at least this once, and his party is leaving no stone unturned.
Kollam-born Gopi, a former Rajya Sabha member, has maintained Thrissur as his base since 2019.
The party’s claim to his popularity is based on the 2.93 lakh votes he got in the 2019 Lok Sabha fight, as opposed to the maximum one lakh votes that had been normal for a BJP candidate in the constituency.
Gopi with golden crown at Thrissur’s Christian church.
On Monday, 15 January, Gopi and his family — including Bhavya — visited Thrissur’s famous Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral to present a gold crown to the statue of Lourdes Mary there. Gopi’s wife Radhika and daughters Bhagya and Bhavani were present during the visit.
It was dubbed an attempt to woo the powerful Syro-Malabar Catholic community within the constituency.
However, there were reports about the golden crown falling off accidentally and being damaged while Gopi was trying to adorn the statue with it.
Parish Vicar Fr Davis Pulikottil and Trustee Dalsan Davis Pellissery received Gopi and his family at the church. The ornament weighed five sovereigns.
Gopi later said he and his family visited many religious centres and offered prayers as part of the preparations for the wedding.
Meanwhile, the BJP carried out a Sneha Yatra in the constituency hardly a week ago to connect with the Christian community, which constitutes about 18 percent of the population.
The BJP’s overemphasis on Thrissur has evoked condemnation from Congress leaders.
“There will be no effect even if Modi permanently stays in Thrissur. People may wave at him, but they will never give their votes,” Vadakara MP K Muraleedharan told reporters.
Muraleedharan took a dig at Gopi’s golden crown offering as well, saying Christians would not fall for a crown at a time when churches were being vandalised in Manipur. However, he also noted that he was not against offerings being made.
In a taunting remark directed at Gopi, Thrissur’s Congress MP TN Prathapan stated, “No one else can claim Thrissur.”
He also playfully alluded to Suresh Gopi’s infamous comment from the previous Assembly elections in his constituency when the actor urged voters to rally behind him with the declaration, “I will conquer Thrissur”.
“Everyone is aware of the social and political situation here. It is a place of faith. Despite campaigning strongly during the last election, the BJP candidate lost by more than 1.21 lakh votes. Therefore, no one else can take Thrissur,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress is planning a mega roadshow and public meeting to be attended by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge as a show of strength in Thrissur.
Modi was at Thrissur last week accompanied by Gopi. Photo: supplied
Meanwhile, the extravagant marriage and its VIP presence have made Thrissur a subject of national focus.
A holiday has been declared for educational institutions, including professional colleges, in Guruvayur as well as adjoining Kandanassery and Choondika.
According to sources close to Gopi, the stunning marriage ceremony was attracting attention not only for its luxury but also for the confirmed presence of Prime Minister Modi, several BJP leaders, and almost all the key actors and actresses of the Malayalam-language film industry.
Superstars Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Dileep have already assured their presence on the occasion with their families.
Even the Bhagya engagement held last year turned into a major event, in which a set of senior BJP leaders and actors took part.
There will be a marriage reception at Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium on 20 January, and a number of BJP national leaders are expected to reach out to reinforce the importance the party attaches to Gopi, who has admitted that he has high ambitions in politics.
As per the schedule, Modi will offer prayers inside the temple at 8 am and attend Bhagya’s wedding ceremony at around 9 am.
During Modi’s visit, only the essential personnel would be allowed inside the temple.
These are said to include the tantric, melshanti (head priest), the Lothians performing the Udayasthamana Pooja, keezhshanti (assistant priest), Devaswom Board chairman, governing body members, administrator, and the temple’s deputy administrator.
ADGP Suresh Rajpurohit has instructed the police to beef up security at the Guruvayur temple for the prime minister’s visit.
He told the officials that the prime minister had advised the police to ensure there were no obstacles to the temple’s pujas, other rituals, and marriage ceremonies.
There was a high-voltage misinformation campaign on social media ahead of Modi’s visit, and the Guruvayur Devaswom has now clarified that no marriage would be cancelled on Wednesday, given Modi’s visit to the temple.
“I would like to assure the families who have booked marriages at Guruvayur on 17 January that no marriage will be cancelled. We have only rescheduled them, given the security arrangements,” said Guruvayur Devaswom Chairman Dr VK Vijayan.
“I urge the families not to get confused over rumours. The marriages would have been fixed months ago, and the families arrived after many preparations. We have not cancelled any marriage scheduled for 17 January. We just rescheduled them to for security reasons,” he added.
He also said there was no muhurtham (auspicious time) for marriages at Guruvayur as it was solemnised in front of Lord Krishna.
“It is a matter of devotion, and Guruvayur Devaswom will provide all possible help to realise their desire to get the marriage solemnised before Guruvayurappan. About 70 marriages will be solemnised on 17 January,” he said.
Regarding the number of people attending marriages, Vijayan clarified that the restrictions had been in place for years, and only 20 people would be allowed to attend a marriage.
“There will be more than 100 marriages on some days, and if all the devotees throng the temple, there will be a huge rush. The restrictions were implemented to avoid stampedes,” he said.
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