‘There’re good people among us’: Suresh Gopi praises Kerala CM for smooth conduct of Thrissur Pooram

Nilambur: At an NDA bypoll convention in Nilambur, Union Minister and actor-politician Suresh Gopi heaped praise on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the smooth conduct of this year’s Thrissur Pooram festival. “Good actions must be acknowledged,” he said, also extending compliments to Minister K Rajan for his role. “There are good people among us—we need to identify them,” he added.

However, Gopi did not hold back from criticising the Chief Minister’s stance on the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). He claimed that both the Chief Minister and an IAS officer from Kerala had remarked at a PMAY meeting that the scheme was “not in line with Kerala’s culture”. Gopi countered this by saying, “A poor man should never feel ashamed. What he needs is a roof over his head.” He added that the BJP was planning to intensify its campaign around the PMAY scheme.

Taking a swipe at critics, Gopi said the BJP’s win in Thrissur was a response to those who claimed the party had been wiped out in Nemom. “I am being careful with my words now—else I’ll be trolled,” he said, adding that one must learn from experience. He further promised that if the NDA wins in Nilambur, a government college would be sanctioned for the region.

In a symbolic gesture to mark World Environment Day, Suresh Gopi planted a mango sapling before addressing the crowd. The event also coincided with the first anniversary of his election as MP from Thrissur.

The convention was chaired by BDJS district president Girish Mekad. Other speakers were BJP national vice-president A P Abdullakutty, national committee member P K Krishnadas, Yuva Morcha national secretary Adv Shyamraj, Mahila Morcha state president Navya Haridas, Shone George, P R Rashmil Nath, NDA candidate Adv Mohan George, Adv B Gopalakrishnan, K Padmakumar and Adv Perurkada Harikumar.

Kattunayakan families meet Suresh Gopi over housing issues

Meanwhile, members of the indigenous Kattunayakan community, who lost their homes during the 2019 floods, met Suresh Gopi at the venue. Though land had been allotted to 53 families, they claimed they were yet to receive it. The issue was taken up by BJP leaders, and eventually, the families were provided homes, said Manchan, the oorumooppan (community elder) of Mundakkadavu. As a token of gratitude, the group presented Gopi with honey and other forest produce on stage.