Go for reforms! This seems to be the catch line for Kerala's CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) as the election dates get closer.The LDF released its poll manifesto yesterday promising to open up the state's economy. The most significant among the promise is that the LDF, if voted to power, would welcome private investment in the state.The manifesto, in fact, promises to devise a plan to facilitate private investment in the state. It also declared that it would channel resources from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to the state.With a stress on information technology, biotechnology and tourism, LDF is all geared up to face the voters, a majority of who have been for private participation in the state's industrial scene for quite some time now. "If West Bengal can have an open mind, why not we?" was the question being raised in many quarters.The LDF manifesto also proposed a Digital City and localised infotech hubs known as digital towns and digital villages. An IT complex in Kochi and an IT corridor in Thiruvananthapuram have also been recommended in the manifesto.Going by what the manifesto says, Kerala would even become the first state in the country to have an e-governance system in its own language - Malayalam.Another significant issue in the manifesto is that a high-level committee would be formed to monitor the agenda of the World Trade Organisation and propose measures to protect the state's interests.Welcoming private participation in higher education, the manifesto says the government will screen the participants to keep profiteers away. It also promises to review the functioning of self-financing educational institutions that have come up in the past five years. It also stresses on traditional and co-operative ventures, and promises to give representation to trade union members in the governing bodies of PSUs.Releasing the manifesto in Kozhikode, LDF convener Paloli Mohammed Kutty (who had been the Front's choice as Chief Minister till a few days ago when CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan was asked not to contest elections), said: "We will evolve a development paradigm, which involves the toiling classes and the farmers. We are against any development that ignores the majority for the benefit of a few." Though V S Achuthanandan has now been given the go-ahead to contest the polls by the Politburo following mass protests, the manifesto has included many features that VS had opposed in the past. With the pro-reform party men holding sway, the promises spelt out may turn out to become a reality if the Left front comes to power.Aiming at a growth rate higher than the national average, the LDF manifesto foresees employment generation on a big scale through a Rs 30,000-crore package for the agriculture sector. It added that both the public and private sectors will be encouraged to invest in agriculture and agri-businesses.
