|
BJP Keralam president and Nemom Assembly candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday said he is not concerned with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) manifesto, noting that parties have made promises for the past 70 years without delivering, and stressed that the BJP presents a clear vision for the change Keralam requires. Reacting to the UDF manifesto, which was unveiled earlier in the day, Chandrasekhar said, "I am not interested in commenting on manifestos of parties who have made promises for the last 70 years and have never kept them. There's no point."
"We are today placing in front of every Malayali a comprehensive, solid vision for Vikasita Keralam. We are saying that this is the change that Keralam wants. And we have put it as an example of what Narendra Modi ji has done for India for the last 12 years. We want to bring to Keralam also and help change the direction and the growth of Keralam. So now, what the LDF says--what is the point?" Chandrasekhar added. Speaking about the LDF, he added, "LDF 10 years ago said, 'Ellam Sheriyakum' (Everything will be alright). And we are in a situation where the highest unemployment, the highest inflation, four out of ten graduates are unemployed and are migrating. So, what is the credibility of the Congress party and the CPM today to make any manifesto? They have never kept their word, whether it's in Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, or across India during 2004 to 2014. They use manifestos to exploit people's vulnerabilities and to mislead them." Chandrasekhar further said the BJP's manifesto offers a concrete roadmap, emphasising accountability and measurable outcomes. "We use manifestos as a Margarekha (roadmap) to tell people: if you give us an opportunity, this is what we will deliver," he added. The remarks come after earlier in the day, Congress-led UDF Thursday unveiled its manifesto for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4. Key promises include free KSRTC bus travel for women, increased welfare pensions to Rs 3,000, monthly Rs 1,000 support for college-going girls, and a Rs 25 lakh health insurance scheme. The manifesto also focuses on housing, farmers' support, healthcare reforms, skill development for five lakh youth, women's empowerment, and consumer protection. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, attending as chief guest, criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's decade-long rule, claiming the UDF will now bring development to Kerala. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said the manifesto is based on five guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi during the Puthu Yuga Yatra, emphasising welfare, employment, and senior citizen support. The incumbent CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front aims to retain power in the 140-member assembly. (ANI)
|
