UDF Unveils Ambitious Manifesto for Kerala Assembly Elections
The United Democratic Front (UDF) officially released its manifesto for the upcoming Kerala assembly elections at a significant event in Kochi on Thursday. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy presented the document to Kerala's opposition leader, V D Satheesan, marking a key moment in the state's political landscape.
Comprehensive Development Agenda Outlined
The manifesto details an extensive range of development initiatives designed to transform Kerala across multiple sectors. A major focus is on infrastructure, with plans to connect small and large ports through an enhanced water transport network. The UDF also proposes an environment-friendly high-speed rail corridor and the ambitious construction of five lakh houses for homeless residents within a five-year timeframe.
In the realm of social welfare, the manifesto promises substantial healthcare reforms, including the establishment of bill-less hospitals and increasing the daily wage of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to Rs 700. Educational commitments feature prominently, with the proposed creation of a Tribal University in Wayanad and the introduction of the Rohith Vemula Act to combat caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions.
Economic and Agricultural Promises
The UDF's economic vision includes raising the base price of rubber to Rs 300 to support farmers, alongside expanding metro or light metro networks in major cities such as Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. For the agricultural sector, the front pledges a separate agricultural budget and assures minimum support price (MSP) in line with the recommendations of the M S Swaminathan Commission, with paddy procurement prices increased to Rs 35 per kilogram.
To bolster Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the UDF aims to nurture 10,000 enterprises to achieve a turnover of Rs 100 crore each through targeted financial and mentorship support. Additionally, the manifesto introduces a Job Watch Tower initiative to monitor global employment trends and align academic curricula accordingly, complemented by K R Narayanan Fellowships and loan scholarships for students.
Key Initiatives and Sectoral Reforms
The manifesto incorporates the five Indira Guarantee schemes previously announced, which include free bus travel for women, raising social security pensions to Rs 3,000, zero-interest loans up to Rs 5 lakh for youth entrepreneurship, and a comprehensive Oommen Chandy health insurance cover of up to Rs 25 lakh for families.
In aviation, the UDF proposes establishing pilot training institutes, expanding the runway at Cochin International Airport, setting up a runway at Kannur International Airport, and developing maintenance, repair, and operations facilities alongside logistics parks. Another significant pledge is Mission Samudra, aiming to position Kerala as a major global maritime player within five years through phased development of cargo and passenger water transport networks.
Social and Governance Measures
To address social issues, the manifesto includes initiatives to curb human-wildlife conflict using both traditional and technology-based solutions. In tourism, the UDF promises to accord industry status to the sector, enabling access to benefits currently available to industrial units. For promoting communal harmony, the front proposes a Peace and Harmony department, inspired by the Rajasthan model, to reduce political violence, and a Ministry of Tolerance with harmony centres in cities and villages.
Educational enhancements feature the Semester in Kerala programme to attract international students and the enactment of the Sidharthan Anti-Ragging and Student Welfare Act to eliminate ragging from campuses. The manifesto committee, led by Benny Behanan, MP, along with 11 other UDF leaders, developed these proposals over two years of consultations, including sector-wise conclaves and expert inputs.
Satheesan's Post-Manifesto Announcements
Following the manifesto presentation, opposition leader V D Satheesan addressed reporters with additional commitments. He stated that if the UDF comes to power, it will denotify the SilverLine project, citing concerns for families affected by land earmarking. "We will not proceed with the SilverLine project. Numerous poor families have been unable to utilize their land due to this project. Upon assuming power, the UDF government will denotify these lands immediately," Satheesan affirmed.
He also announced plans to reconsider the Kerala Bank and KIIFB, revise the LIFE Mission project, and ensure depositor's guarantee in cooperative banks similar to nationalised banks through a dedicated corpus. Regarding bar regulations, Satheesan emphasized a balanced approach: "If bars are banned, people may turn to narcotic products. Therefore, bar allocation will be regulated, unlike the LDF government's unregulated licensing practices."
This manifesto sets a comprehensive agenda for Kerala's future, blending infrastructure development, social welfare, economic growth, and governance reforms as the UDF positions itself for the upcoming elections.
