THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF is to organise a protest dharna in front of Raj Bhavan on July 17 to protest against the Centre’s neglect of state’s demands. At the UDF meeting held here on Monday, the leaders lamented that central government had neglected all sectors including rubber, railways and infrastructure. The state government had also failed to place the demands before the Centre effectively and get these accepted. Later UDF convenor P.P. Thankachan told media persons that MPs, MLAs, local bodies representatives will take part in Raj Bhavan dharna.
He directed all UDF constituents to strictly adhere to the agreement finalised on transfer of power in local bodies. At some places there have been serious arguments over transfer of power. Thankachan said the posts to be given to KC(M) following its return to UDF, would be finalised soon. Opposit-ion leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president M.M. Hassan will hold bilateral talks with K.M. Mani about the positions to be allotted.
Preparation for Lok Sabha polls
A day long general body meeting of UDF will be held on August 7 to plan campaigns, programmes, organisational activities at booth level as part of the preparations for 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The UDF convenor alleged the bill amending paddy act was aimed at helping land mafia and real estate lobby. The Bill has diluted the provisions of original paddy land act passed in 2008 for the conservation of paddy fields.
Thankachan said the state administration had come to a halt, governance had taken a backseat and financial situation was pathetic. The much touted KIIFB had failed to bring about anything concrete on the ground barring lofty statements by finance minister. The MLAs belonging to LDF were being given preference in allotting projects under KIIFB. Despite the state facing a financial crunch, there was no end to the splurge by ministers and officials. Luxurious vehicles were being bought for VVIPs besides wasteful expenditure on many counts.
He said the employees unions affiliated to CPM and CPI were calling the shots in transfers and postings. File movement has been badly affected in secretariat. When asked about the absence of former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran from the meeting, Thankachan said; “He could not attend because of some inconvenience.” On whether Sudheeran was keeping off UDF meet because of Mani’s presence, he said such reports were only a creation of media.
