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Palakkad (Kerala), Nov 25 (IANS) Kerala opposition leader VD Satheesan on Tuesday said his Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is headed for a landslide victory in the upcoming local body elections, boosted by strong public anger against the ruling front, careful organizational preparation and a clear set of alternative policy plans.
“We are entering the competition not with mere criticism, but with concrete, research-backed solutions to Kerala’s pressing challenges,” Satheesan said.
Local body elections will be held in Kerala over two days – the first phase on December 9 and then the second phase on December 11, with the results to be declared on December 13.
Satheesan said elections should pave the way for meaningful discussion rather than rhetoric and the UDF aims to make it a platform for democratic dialogue that benefits common citizens.
“We will take the government to the court of public opinion by presenting a detailed charge sheet outlining the alleged failures of nine and a half years. The document covering the financial crisis, administrative failures and collapse of the health sector will be delivered to every household,” he said.
According to Satheesan, Kerala’s economy has reached the brink, with public debt approaching Rs 6 lakh crore, a situation unprecedented in the state’s history, he claimed.
“Once in power, we have prepared a credible roadmap to revive the economy. Kerala’s healthcare system is on ventilator support, citing shortage of medicines and surgical equipment in hospitals. For the first time, an opposition has constituted a health commission and hosted a health conference, involving around 300 medical professionals, to draft a policy to be released in January,” he said.
He said that brain drain is taking place in higher education, students are migrating abroad.
UDF’s Higher Education Conclave, involving global academics, has prepared a draft policy which is now being discussed in universities.
Its result will also be declared next month.
Among its key promises, the UDF aims to transform Kerala into a zero-waste state, implement scientific measures to address the stray dog problem, restructure the shelter poverty alleviation scheme and revive Kudumbashree to make women economically self-reliant.
Satheesan said the UDF has completed extensive ground work, forming ward committees, conducting door-to-door campaigns and voter registration drives.
He ruled out any alliance with the CPI-M or the BJP, saying the UDF would contest and achieve a landslide victory.
–IANS
SG/VD