UDF readies for polls with dash of populism

The UDF government has geared up for the next assembly elections, which is about the corner by announcing more sops to the people, while the opposition front is in the midst of strong political campaigning.

As the latest addition to its list of popular schemes prior to elections, the government had decided to slash the electricity tariff by 20 paise per unit.

Earlier UDF government announced a boiled egg for each primary school student in a week and distribution of rice at Rs 3 per kg to the poor. It had also postponed decision on mining of sea sand in Alappuzha district, though all three expert committees had submitted findings in favour of mining.

But UDF do not want a controversy over the issue on the verge of an election, though most of the parties are in favour of sand mining. UDF had advised the government to reduce electricity tariff for domestic consumers who are using below 200 units of electricity per month. But the government has extended the benefit to all domestic consumers.

The government had already announced a Kerala airline, Air Kerala, in order to appease the 2 million Keralites in the Gulf region. It is now on an all out effort to commence operation at the earliest and seeking relaxation from the central ministry on the five year gestation period to start overseas services.

The government is also trying hard to sign the formal agreement with Dubai Internet City (DIC) for setting up a smart city at Kochi.

Earlier the government had singed an MoU with DIC and had decided to sign the formal contract within three months time, but the agreement has not been signed so far. The smart city project will be an advantage for UDF in the election campaign and UDF will face elections by raising the issue of development of the state.

To counter the strategy of UDF, CPM had conducted a Kerala study which had focused on various serious issues of development. The Congress had a consensus over foreign direct investment which according to the congress is inevitable for the development of the state, but in a well controlled manner.

The three-day conference had also emphasised the importance of private capital for development, which political pandits observe as a clear change in the policies and principles of CPM, though that party opposes it.

Oommen Chandy, chief minister of Kerala is taking this as an advantage to him and UDF since they mooted the idea of development of the state cutting across different political ideologies.

He said that there is now a narrow gap between UDF and LDF over the issue of state's development.

Since BJP is in a serious crisis in Kerala, the assembly polls will be a direct fight between UDF and LDF. CPM has geared up its election machinery well in advance and a month long Kerala march has commenced today at Kasargode.

State secretary of the party unit, Pinarayi Vijayan is leading the march, who is also projected as the next chief minister of Kerala by a section of party workers. LDF has postponed its decision on the inclusion of Democratic Indira Congress (DIC) and it will be a crucial one in the next elections.