Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Kozhikode, Mar 25: Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, on Wednesday officially kicked off the United Democratic Front (UDF) election campaign in Kerala, positioning the polls as a crucial fight to “return the state to its people.”
Addressing a large public gathering in Kozhikode, Kharge launched a sharp attack on both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He alleged an implicit understanding between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the BJP, claiming that a vote for the Left would indirectly benefit the BJP. According to him, the BJP’s decision not to field strong candidates in several constituencies hints at a political strategy to keep the Congress-led UDF out of power.
Setting the tone for the campaign, Kharge said Kerala is “ready for change” after a decade under Left rule. Questioning the government’s performance, he accused it of failing to address key issues such as rising debt, unemployment, and social distress. He claimed the state’s liabilities are nearing ?6 lakh crore, with a significant per capita burden, while criticising what he described as uneven development priorities.
Kharge also raised concerns over governance and law enforcement, alleging a rise in drug-related cases and deterioration in public healthcare infrastructure. He further accused the government of irregular appointments that, he said, were affecting the quality of services.
Referring to the Sabarimala Temple issue, he criticised the government for not safeguarding the temple’s sanctity and alleged lapses in handling sensitive matters, including gold smuggling cases.
Taking a swipe at what he termed “headline-driven politics,” Kharge dismissed claims about football star Lionel Messi visiting Kerala as misleading. In contrast, he highlighted Rahul Gandhi’s promise of building a FIFA-standard stadium in the state that could host international icons such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Sunil Chhetri.
Reaffirming the Congress party’s track record, Kharge pointed to welfare guarantees implemented in states like Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh, urging voters to support the UDF for what he described as accountable governance and a renewed development vision for Kerala.