Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday released the Left Democratic Front’s manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, setting out a plan to complete the vision of “Nava Keralam” while promising higher pensions, jobs for women and a push for economic growth.
The document comes days before polling in the state and lays out the ruling alliance’s pitch to return to power, highlighting welfare expansion and long-term development goals.
The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front has promised to raise welfare pensions from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per month. It also pledged to eliminate extreme poverty and ensure that women make up 50 per cent of the workforce.
Addressing the media, Vijayan said the past decade had helped rebuild public confidence and that the alliance now aims to take the state to the next level of development. He said the manifesto combines completed projects with new commitments, adding that the government intends to implement every promise listed.
He also pointed to what he described as neglect by the Centre, saying the state has continued to move forward despite challenges.
What the LDF manifesto promises
The document tries to keep things simple: build up farming, give industry a push, fix gaps in education and healthcare, and create more jobs so people’s day-to-day lives improve. There’s also a clear attempt to back small businesses, which many families depend on.
One of the headline ideas is ‘Mission 100000’. The plan is to help one lakh small and medium businesses grow into bigger players, each targeting an average turnover of Rs 1 crore, with support from the government along the way.
The alliance also plans to integrate welfare schemes at the district level to provide better care for bedridden patients and improve the quality of life for elderly citizens.
Among other promises, the LDF said it will work to make KSRTC financially stable and ensure uninterrupted power supply across the state.
The manifesto also commits to expanding women’s participation in the workforce to 50 per cent and supporting around 20 lakh housewives through rural economic initiatives.
On rural employment, the alliance said it will oppose any move to scrap the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and ensure that it continues as before.
The LDF has also proposed changes to the Single Window Clearance Board Act to speed up approvals for large projects, including infrastructure, under a fast-track system led by the Chief Minister.
Infrastructure plans include developing an Outer Area Corridor centred around Vizhinjam port and implementing the Vizhinjam Industrial Township Project with planned land use.
The manifesto also promises land titles for people living in hilly, coastal and other remote areas, within the legal framework.
In the health sector, the alliance has proposed setting up an Epidemic Forecasting System to detect emerging diseases early, along with a national-level epidemic intelligence system.
Polling for the 140-member Kerala Assembly will take place on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The current Assembly’s term ends on May 23.
The ruling LDF, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is seeking another term in office and will face the Congress-led United Democratic Front in the contest.