BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar Advocates for Manufacturing Hub in Kerala

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited the HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) Limited unit in Kalamassery, Kerala, on February 11, 2024. During his visit, he presented his party’s vision for transforming Kerala into a significant manufacturing and investment hub, encapsulated in the mission termed ‘Viksit Kerala’.

Chandrasekhar engaged with the management and labor unions at HMT to gain insights into the challenges faced by the public-sector unit and the broader manufacturing landscape in Kerala. He highlighted the critical role manufacturing plays as a job creator, pointing to the significant investments flowing into states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

“Manufacturing is an extremely big job creator, a segment of the economy that many states are very focused on,” he stated. He underscored that HMT Kalamassery possesses substantial potential to be part of a manufacturing revolution, which has been largely ignored due to inadequate support from the state government and its prolonged status as an uncompetitive public sector unit.

Chandrasekhar elaborated on his vision, asserting that HMT Kalamassery could evolve into a vibrant hub for investments and manufacturing technologies. He expressed optimism about working collaboratively with stakeholders to rejuvenate the unit.

“I spent some time here today talking to the management and the unions about how we can work together to transform HMT Kalamassery into a hub,” he said. He emphasized the importance of creating job opportunities for the youth of Kerala through this transformation.

In alignment with the BJP’s developmental agenda, Chandrasekhar stated that his mission is to ensure young people can find employment within Kerala without needing to seek opportunities elsewhere. He reiterated the significance of HMT Kalamassery in achieving the goals of Viksit Kerala.

The BJP leader also criticized the current CPI-M-led government, questioning the support they have provided over the last decade. He asserted, “For ten years, they have not given any support to anybody except for their own comrades and families.” He expressed hope for a change in governance following the upcoming assembly elections in May 2024, anticipating a BJP-NDA government that would better support initiatives like those at HMT.

As Kerala gears up for elections, Chandrasekhar’s visit signals a strategic focus on revitalizing the state’s manufacturing sector, aiming to attract investments that could significantly impact job creation and economic growth.