THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress Working Committee member A K Antony on Saturday said the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state would be fought on three major issues communal harmony, development agenda and freeing state from politics of violence.
At a meet the press programme here, Antony said after the BJP led NDA government came to power at the Centre, there is deliberate attempt to create polarisation on religious lines. There is concerted attempt from certain quarters to create division mong communities.
He said many incidents of communal violence and communal disturbance have been reported from various parts of the state. Antony said even in Kerala which is known for its communal harmony, there have been attempts to create differences on religions lines.
For generations people of the state have been consuming beef and it has never been an issue. There are non vegetarians’ including beef eaters and vegetarians in same family. But the eating habits have not created any differences in the family.
The former defence minister urged the people to vote for those people who would defend the secular polity of the state. Antony said the other major issue is development. The state has taken big strides in development under Oommen Chandy government and has topped in the country.
“During the last five years the state has witnessed incredible development activities and social security initiatives. The tempo has to increase in the next five years. Development has to reach out to more people and more initiatives have to be taken to remove inequalities,” he said. The CWC member urged people to vote for those who want to free the state from politics of violence.
