Thiruvalla (Kerala), Mar 23: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the ruling LDF is seeking a fresh mandate in the April 9 Assembly polls with the objective of taking the state to the next level of development.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the election presents a historic moment for people to unite in order to ensure continuity of progress and welfare while upholding secularism and democratic values.
“Development and public welfare are the core issues we are placing before the people,” he said.
The right wing forces were attempting to mislead the people by spreading falsehoods and playing the communal card, he alleged.
Vijayan said Kerala does not share the “sense of inevitability” about neo-liberal policies pursued by the Congress and the BJP, alleging that both parties favour corporates.
“The past 10 years have shown that a humane alternative model, which has become a global example, is practical. The political culture of discarding manifesto promises after coming to power is alien to Kerala,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the earlier United Democratic Front (UDF) government (2011-16), he alleged that the state witnessed a period of “complete breakdown” during its tenure.
“There was stagnation in appointments, collapse of the public sector, closure of public educational institutions, corruption-ridden governance, stagnation in agriculture and industry, reluctance towards industrial investment and a severe financial crisis,” he said.
He further alleged that welfare pension arrears had piled up for up to 18 months during the UDF rule and that the public healthcare system was in a poor condition with lack of doctors and medicines.
“Students dropped out of state-run schools in large numbers. Textbooks were not distributed on time, forcing students to rely on photocopies. Schools were shut down citing lack of profitability,” he said.
Vijayan also claimed that there were no significant initiatives in the higher education sector during that period and alleged attempts to dilute academic standards.
On the power sector, he said the UDF government had “completely failed,” making load-shedding a regular feature, while also accusing it of weakening the public distribution and transport systems.
“It was from such a dark phase that the LDF government took up the historic responsibility of rebuilding Kerala and revitalised every sector,” he said.
Highlighting achievements in the health sector, Vijayan said it clearly reflects the government’s commitment towards common people.
“When the UDF demitted office in 2016, the budget allocation for health was Rs 665 crore. Under the LDF government, it has been increased to over Rs 3,000 crore,” he said.
He added that projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and more than Rs 1,000 crore through NABARD have been implemented in the health sector alone.
The LDF is committed to meeting future needs of the state and the aspirations of the younger generation.
“The experience of the past decade is the answer to politics that seeks to take Kerala backwards. People believe that the LDF has been able to lead the state from decline to progress,” he said.
Vijayan expressed confidence that the LDF will secure a decisive victory in the upcoming elections, stating that people widely feel that continuity of the front is essential for sustained development and welfare in the state.
