Now, reform bug bites Left in Kerala

KERALA ASSEMBLY POLL 2006

Go for reforms. This seems to be the catchline for Kerala's CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has promised to attract private investment in the state if voted to power. Its manifesto also promises to channel resources from the non-resident Indians (NRIs) into the state.

With stress on information technology, biotechnology and tourism, the LDF is all geared up to face the voters, a majority of who feel if West Bengal can have an open mind on private investment, why not Kerala?

The LDF manifesto also promises a digital city and localised infotech hubs, known as digital towns and digital villages, if voted to power. This is besides an IT complex in Kochi and an IT corridor in Thiruvananthapuram.

Going by what the poll manifesto says, Kerala would become first state in the country to have an e-governance system in its own language.

Another significant promises in the manifesto is a high-level committee which will monitor talks at the World Trade Organisation and propose measures to protect the state's interests.

Welcoming private participation in higher education, the manifesto says the LDF government will screen the participants to keep away profiteers. It also promises to review the functioning of self-financing educational institutions that have come up in the past five years. It stresses traditional and cooperative ventures and promises to give representation to members of the trade unions in the governing bodies of the PSUs.

LDF convener Paloli Mohammed Kutty, who had been the Front's choice for chief ministership till a few days ago when CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan was asked not to contest said, "We will evolve a development paradigm which involves toiling classes and the farmers. We are against any development which ignores the majority."

Though VS Achuthanandan has been given the go ahead to contest the polls following mass protests, the manifesto has included many a feature that Achuthanandan is against.

With pro-reform partymen holding sway, the promises spelt out may becoming a reality if the Front comes to power. The manifesto also approves Achuthanandan's line of thought on many issues like coastal sand mining. However, the proposed Express Highway has been left untouched.

Aiming at a growth rate higher than the national average, the manifesto foresees employment generation on a big scale, through a Rs 30,000 crore package for the agriculture sector. It adds that both public and private sectors will be encouraged to invest in agriculture and agri-businesses.

Meanwhile, the LDF today completed its seat sharing exercise with CPI(M) and Independent candidates backed by it deciding to contest the 11 Assembly seats that were undecided following a dispute among the Front partners.

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the LDF, its convenor Paloli Mohammed Kutty said the CPI(M) would contest eight seats and Independents the remaining three.