"Before becoming PM, Modi as a politician and social activist used to visit tribal areas. He only highlighted the plight of tribal community in his speech and expressed his desire to improve the living conditions of tribal people.
"Modi has great regard and respect for Malayalis. People are twisting the facts," he said.
The comparison made by Modi at a poll rally in the state early this week when he said the "infant mortality rate among the scheduled tribe community in Kerala is worse than Somalia" has set off a political storm and triggered criticism in the social media.