A group of four suspected Maoists were spotted in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Wednesday, April 24, urging locals to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26. The police responded to reports of the Maoists’ presence in Kambamala and initiated an investigation. The Maoists were seen interacting with laborers in the area, raising slogans and calling for a boycott of the polls. Their appearance and actions have sparked concern among local authorities.
In a groundbreaking move, Kerala launches a massive AI training program for 80,000 secondary school teachers. This three-day initiative, conducted by KITE, aims to equip teachers with essential AI expertise, fostering innovation, and inclusivity in classrooms. The training emphasizes summarization techniques, prompt engineering, AI-driven assessment techniques, personalized learning, and data privacy. With 180 trained master trainers and meticulously prepared modules, Kerala sets a benchmark in AI-driven education, paving the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for its students.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has supported her brother and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi’s claim that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is collaborating with the BJP. This is because the Narendra Modi government has not launched central agencies against him despite his alleged involvement in various scams. Priyanka’s comments came after an LDF legislator requested a DNA test on Rahul to verify his descent from the Nehru-Gandhi family, apparently in response to his criticism of the chief minister. Accusing Vijayan of being an exception amongst opposition leaders, Priyanka stated that other opposition leaders face attacks, harassment, and imprisonment. She further alleged that BJP leaders have been caught with substantial sums of money in their vehicles but have faced no consequences. She praised Rahul for his unwavering stance against the BJP and LDF despite the slander and legal cases he has endured. Additionally, Priyanka addressed rallies in Malappuram district, including Wandoor and Edakkara.
The 40-day long Lok Sabha election campaign in Kerala ended on Wednesday, with political parties wrapping up their constituency visits and gearing up for roadshows on the last day. Senior leaders from all major fronts, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Union home minister Amit Shah, and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, participated in roadshows and ‘kottikalasam’ events across the state. The election stakes are high for Congress, CPM, and BJP, as they seek to maintain or improve their positions in the state.
The high-stakes Lok Sabha election campaign in Kerala culminated in a carnivalesque atmosphere on Wednesday, but also saw violence and polarization. Rival campaigns staged last-minute rallies across the state, resorting to stone-throwing and other violent tactics. Several candidates used skylift cranes to elevate themselves above the chaotic crowds, capturing dizzying selfies. Key issues in the campaign included livelihood, unemployment, and poverty, alongside larger questions of federalism, religious polarization, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image. The vibrant campaign featured colorful displays, celebrities, street theater, and social media engagement. As overt campaigning ended, both coalitions expressed optimism, while door-to-door canvassing continued discreetly.
Nine explosive devices were discovered in Kerala’s Kannur district, sparking an investigation by police. The bombs, concealed in buckets, were found on a field by a local woman. The Mattanur police and bomb squad neutralized the explosives, believed to have been recently made. Political parties have expressed concerns about the incident, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) calling for a thorough probe and the Congress alleging possible violence on polling day. The discovery has intensified security measures in the district, with police and Central forces being deployed at sensitive polling booths.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the ruling Left in Kerala, accusing them of fostering terrorism in the state and seeking support from the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) for electoral gains.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned in Kerala’s Kochi ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state. He hit out at Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s inheritance tax remarks, stating that the Congress party has been exposed. Shah also accused Congress of considering India as their ancestral property and criticized their opposition to the government’s decision to allow Indians to pass on their properties to their children.
A video of a rally where ‘anti-Hindu’ slogans were reportedly raised is being shared as a recent event. The rally allegedly took place in Kerala, and claims allege that it was organized by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’s member, the Muslim League. However, the video is not recent and dates back to 2023. The rally was part of a protest against violence in Manipur, and slogans threatening to hang Hindus in front of temples and burn them alive were allegedly chanted.
In Wayanad, Kerala, human-wildlife conflict has emerged as a flashpoint issue in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Wild elephants, tigers, and other animals have claimed at least eight lives and acres of crops in the past 10 years. Farmers and tribals, who depend on farming and forest-related activities for survival, are particularly affected. Despite protests and demands for government action, measures such as rail fencing and trenches have been ineffective against wildlife. Farmers and tribals feel that their concerns are not being addressed by politicians, who make promises during elections but fail to deliver. They are seeking adequate compensation, food and water for animals within the forest, and effective measures to prevent animals from straying into agricultural land.
