Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Confident Of Coming Back To Power With 110 Seats
"We will secure people's mandate on the strength of our government's achievement, uncompromising stand against communal forces"
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday expressed confidence that the LDF would secure a stupendous victory in the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls.
The chief minister said the LDF would return to power with more seats. The special Cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday predicted a win in 110 out of 140 seats.
His remarks follow the Congress setting a target of 100 seats at its recent leadership camp in Wayanad.
Addressing the LDF’s recent local body poll setbacks, Pinarayi explained that those elections focused on different issues, whereas the Assembly polls are about the state’s overall needs.
He added that voters will judge the LDF based on its 10 years in power, and that their performance will significantly boost their standing once people assess their work.
Speaking to mediapersons, the chief minister highlighted his government's achievements: the state with the least corruption, an infant mortality rate lower than that of the United States, low maternal mortality, textbooks reaching students before the start of the academic year, and no bribes required for employment. Significant progress has been made in education and health, with Ernakulam General Hospital becoming the first in the country to carry out a heart transplant. "I am sure the people will take all these achievements into consideration, and that is what gives us confidence," he said.
Taking a jab at Congress poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu, Pinarayi remarked, "Our Kanagolus are the people of the state. People's personal experience is the best."
No compromise with majority and minority communalism
When asked about CPM central committee member A K Balan’s claim that Jamaat-e-Islami would control the Home Ministry if the UDF came to power, the chief minister said the Marxist leader might have been referring to a time when Congress was in power. Pinarayi emphasised that his government has taken a strong stand against all communal forces, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the RSS. “They wouldn’t dare to spark communal violence in Kerala, and if they try, they’ll be dealt with firmly. There will be no compromise with either majority or minority communalism. Criticising the RSS doesn’t mean opposing the majority Hindus, and likewise, speaking out against Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI doesn’t mean opposing the Muslim community. Most Hindus and Muslims in Kerala are secular.” He added that the UDF is ignoring the danger of communal forces just to win a few votes.
