Cine star Suresh Gopi hits campaign trail in Kerala

VINSON KURIAN  Updated - January 20, 2018 at 06:12 AM.

Actor Suresh Gopi and BJP candidate, Shobha Surendran, during a BJP-NDA election campaign in Palakkad on Tuesday. -- K. K. Mustafah

Star BJP campaigner and cine artist Suresh Gopi has kicked off his high-profile electioneering schedule in style from Palakkad constituency for the May 16 polls to the Kerala Assembly.

He launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front for its five years of misrule. The choice for voters is to reject those who have compromised the future of the state.

CHOPPER CHARTERED

BJP National President Amit Shah had declared Gopi the star campaigner after the latter politely refused his request to contest the Thiruvananthapuram seat. Cricketer S Sreesanth is now the party's choice for the seat.

The party has chartered a helicopter exclusively for Gopi's use during a scheduled five-day whirlwind tour of 40 Assembly constituencies where he will address large gatherings.

Also, he will share the dais with not just the national president of the party but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their campaign tours to the state.

FIERY ORATOR

At Palakkad, where the party has fielded fiery orator Shobha Surendran, Gopi was unsparing in his criticism of the ruling front, which, he said, would be rebuked by voters for its various acts of omission and commission.

The 'tainted' ministers in the Oommen Chandy government have brought enormous disrepute to the state. Gopi was less critical of the Opposition CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front, though.

"It is more important to ensure the defeat of the ruling front. That is our priority," the star campaigner reasoned. He was confident that the BJP would open its account in the state this time round.

Published on March 30, 2016 06:05