Kochi : The United Democratic Front (UDF) has officially unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Kerala Local Body Elections, promising a five-year blueprint aimed at achieving fundamental, citizen-centric changes in both urban and rural areas.
Speaking at the launch, Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan asserted that the manifesto comprises “fully implementable projects,” formulated after extensive study and deliberation. He expressed confidence that the people of Kerala would embrace the UDF’s vision for local governance.
The manifesto, designed to be a “people’s document,” places special emphasis on poverty alleviation, swift infrastructure repair, and modernizing public services.
Key Highlights of the UDF Manifesto
The core of the UDF’s development agenda is structured around several critical sectors:
1. Poverty and Welfare
The UDF has promised to reintroduce and strengthen the poverty alleviation program with ‘Aasraya 2.0,’ which aims to mitigate the poverty experienced by Yellow and Pink ration cardholders. This includes a special action plan and the introduction of an improved ‘Indira Canteen’ model to provide food at subsidized rates.
2. Infrastructure and Urban Development
Addressing the public’s perennial frustrations with poor roads, the manifesto outlines aggressive timelines for repair:
- An Emergency Team will be constituted to fix potholes on local roads within 48 hours of receiving a complaint.
- All severely damaged Panchayat roads are slated for repair within the first 100 days of the UDF assuming power.
- To tackle seasonal flooding in cities, the UDF proposes implementing the ‘Operation Anantha Model’ for permanent solutions to waterlogging.
3. Health, Sanitation, and the Stray Dog Menace
Public health and cleanliness are designated as the primary responsibility of local governing bodies. Key initiatives include:
- Implementing world-class, modern technology for efficient waste management, including setting up compost units in all wards and biogas plants in cities within one year.
- A firm commitment to control the stray dog menace through the strict implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program alongside scientific meat waste disposal. The plan also includes establishing modern abattoirs and a Dog Shelter in every assembly constituency.
- Modernizing Anganwadis and setting up dedicated sanitation squads.
4. Social Justice and Empowerment
- Women and Youth: A ‘Youth Advisory Council’ with 50% female representation will be formed. Furthermore, the manifesto guarantees the construction of ‘Pink Washrooms’ for women across public spaces and specific funds for women entrepreneurs.
- Housing: The goal of ‘housing for all’ will be achieved by identifying beneficiaries through Grama Sabhas and providing rental assistance to low-income families.
- Employment: The state-level ‘Ayyankali Employment Guarantee Scheme’ will be reformed to guarantee 100 days of work, bringing it on par with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
5. Governance and Decentralization
The UDF proposes deep decentralization reforms, including providing an unconditional development fund to wards and treating local body development funds as an entitlement. Policy innovations include the establishment of ‘Nyay Panchayats’ (Justice Panchayats) and a drive towards achieving Carbon-Neutral Local Bodies.
Scathing Criticism of the Ruling Front
Mr. Satheesan used the occasion to launch a sharp attack on the ruling CPI(M) government, criticizing them over the recent rejection of nomination papers for the election. He described the actions—alleging the use of officials to dismiss applications on flimsy grounds—as anti-democratic and questioned, “What difference is there between the BJP and the CPI(M)?”
He further accused the CPI(M) of controlling government officials, but concluded with a firm conviction that UDF candidates would secure a resounding majority despite these alleged tactics.
