Kerala Assembly Elections: What's agenda ahead of polls?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than a month after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule for the state, both the ruling front and the opposition seem to be struggling to place a concrete agenda before the electorate. The UDF was banking on its liquor policy to fetch votes and to an extent had even put the CPM on the defensive repeatedly asking the Marxists to clarify their stand on the phased prohibition.

But CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury’s categoric statement ruling out the possibility of reopening of shut bars and rolling back of liquor policy, turned bar issue into a non issue. It also blunted Congress accusation of LDF-bar owner conspiracy to topple Chandy government.

The UDF which had gone on defensive mode being forced by Opposition to withdraw controversial land allotment decisions was also pinning its hopes on liquor policy. Congress MLA P C Vishnunath, however, says the UDF Government’s performance spelt its poll agenda. “It is a referendum on government’s development agenda. We are seeking mandate on Vizhinjam seaport, SmartCity, Kannur airport, unprecedented social security schemes, Re 1 rice scheme and mass contact programme,” he added.

Political observers say the LDF has failed to effectively target corrupt ministers. It is believed that the CPM had emphasised more on negative campaign, banking squarely on the allegations of Bar owners and Solar case accused Saritha S Nair to target Chandy. With High Court questioning the credibility of Saritha following her allegations of sexual harassment by Chandy, had the LDF stumped.

The LDF also failed to sustain its attack on the corruption issue. A section of CPM leaders believe that had the party devoted 10 per cent of the time and energy spent on Saritha accusations on the common man’s issues, things would have been different on the ground.

LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan said “Our focus is on the failures of the UDF Government. Corruption is a major issue that we have been raising all through the campaign. These issues will automatically come to the centre stage once the campaign pics up,” he said.

Caught between the major fronts, the BJP led NDA has also failed to place an alternative agenda before the people. It has been harping on the “match fixing” between LDF and UDF referring to West Bengal.

The UDF also faced a scare following the Paravur fire tragedy. However, the government managed to neutralise the attack by calling an all party meeting. The political leaders, however, claim that with one month left for the polls the campaigning will pick up giving shape to a concrete poll agenda.