The Hindu : Kerala / Pathanamthitta News : CPI(M) hampering development: Antony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Pathanamthitta

CPI(M) hampering development: Antony

By Our Staff Reporter

The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, addressing a public meeting at Thiruvalla as part of his Navodhana Yatra, on Saturday.

PATHANAMTHITTA, MAY 1. The Navodhana Yatra led by the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, was accorded a rousing reception by workers of the United Democratic Front (UDF) at different places in Pathanamthitta district today.

The Chief Minister's campaign in the district began with a public meeting at Thiruvalla at 10.30 a.m. Addressing the moderate crowd gathered near the private bus stand, Mr. Antony alleged that the CPI(M) had always been anti-development and it was now torpedoing the development of the State.

However, he said that the UDF Government had succeeded in preparing a foundation for the development of the State during the last three years. The opening up of the professional education sector would make the State the education destination in India in the coming years, he added.

Mr Antony said that the CPI(M) in Kerala, with its "out-dated'' ideology had been hampering the State's development.

The Cooperation Minister, M.V. Raghavan, as well as the Indian Union Muslim League MLA, K.N.A. Khader, who addressed the meeting earlier, were critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance Government at the Centre.

The UDF election committee chairman in Thiruvalla, Cherian Polachirackal, presided over the meet. The District Congress Committee president, K. Sivadasan Nair, also spoke.

The Navodhana Yatra reached Mallappally at around 11.30 a.m. The local MLA, Joseph M. Puthusserry, and P.J. Kurien, former Union Minister, were among those who addressed the meeting.

Mr. Antony addressed public meetings at Pullad in the Aranmula Assembly segment, Ranni, Pathanamthitta, Konni, Pandalam and at Adoor before the culmination of today's Yatra at Pathanapuram in Kollam district, later in the evening.

The MLAs, Adoor Prakash, Malethu Saraladevi, Elizabeth Mammen and K.K. Nair, the AICC member, Peelipose Thomas, and the UDF district chairman, Victor T. Thomas, were among those who accompanied the Chief Minister today.