LDF, UDF Release Manifestos For the Upcoming Kerala Assembly Polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just a week to go for the Kerala assembly elections, the CPM-led LDF and Congress-led UDF have unveiled their manifestos, both emphasizing welfare, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan released the LDF manifesto in Kozhikode, while V D Satheeshan launched the UDF manifesto in Kochi on Thursday, joined by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as the chief guest. The LDF’s two-volume manifesto, featuring 60 promises, showcases achievements from its decade-long rule alongside future plans. The UDF manifesto highlights Rahul Gandhi’s flagship NYAY scheme, offering Rs 6,000 per month to BPL families, along with a host of initiatives for women, youth, and infrastructure growth.

Similarities in LDF and UDF manifestos include promises from both fronts to hike the universal welfare pension to Rs 3000.

On women’s welfare, the LDF promises safe travel, childcare, skill training, and rural economic development for 20 lakh housewives, while the UDF offers free travel for women on state-run KSRTC buses, Rs 1000 per month for college-going girls, and self-employment loans through Kudumbashree.

In terms of jobs, the LDF vows campus placements and skill development programs for all graduates, aiming to create 60,000 jobs along with upgrading SMEs. The UDF, meanwhile, plans skill development training for five lakh youth over five years, interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for young entrepreneurs, and MSME support for businesses with turnover up to Rs 100 crore.

The LDF has promised to expand the Life Mission housing project to cover all left-out families, UDF will build 5 lakh houses for the homeless.

LDF promises to make Kerala a Knowledge Hub by upgrading the quality of higher education to international standards, and implement high-speed or semi-high-speed railway projects to modernize the state’s transport network.

They have also announced a “Healthy Aging” policy for senior citizens, providing free medicines for lifestyle diseases. The UDF has promised a separate ministry for the welfare of senior citizens, along with the Oommen Chandy health insurance scheme offering coverage of Rs 25 lakh for each family.

In agriculture, both LDF and UDF have pledged measures to support farmers. They have promised to increase the support price of rubber to Rs 300, and both have committed to raising the paddy procurement price to Rs 35 per kg.

Development and service provision

Metro rail project: Both LDF and UDF have stated in their manifesto that they will implement metro rail in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

The LDF promises assured pensions for government employees, while the UDF pledges a pension reform favorable to them, with both focusing on improving government employee pensions.

Two days ago, the BJP-led NDA unveiled its manifesto, packed with promises. Among them is the launch of a “Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha Card” for women from poor and BPL families, offering a monthly recharge of Rs 2,500 to buy groceries and medicines.

The party also pledged to provide two free LPG cylinders each year for poor families, distributed during Onam and Christmas. Additionally, they plan to expand Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to cover every Malayalee, promising stronger support during medical emergencies.

Another major promise is to provide a free water supply of 20,000 litres per month to households and MSP coverage for all crops that need support.