Kerala - Kottayam   

`Vote for positive agenda of UDF'

Staff Reporter

Kerala is a progressive State, says Sonia Gandhi

WOOING VOTERS: Congress president Sonia Gandhi greeting supporters at a UDF election meeting in Kottayam on Tuesday. — Photo: Johney Thomas

KOTTAYAM : Congress president Sonia Gandhi has made a fervent call to vote for the positive agenda of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to ensure the comprehensive development of the State.

Addressing a meeting attended by UDF men here on Tuesday, Mrs. Gandhi said it was imperative to vote for the UDF to ensure stability and security.

Safely wading away from making any direct critical remarks on the Left, Mrs. Gandhi said those opposing the UDF were taking inconsistent stance on issues. They would say one thing when they were in power and indiscriminately oppose when out of power.

She said the UDF Government had done a great deal during the last five years. However, more remained to be done. The UDF manifesto for the next five years had specific programmes for workers in the unorganised sector, traditional sector, youth and women, she said. "We have pledged ourselves to the manifesto," she said.

Mrs. Gandhi said Kerala is a progressive State and led the nation in areas such as education, health and social justice. "But we have to take things further," she said. The UDF during the last five years had created new jobs and commissioned a number of professional colleges to cater to the needs of the young generation. The Akshaya programme for the welfare of poor and self-help groups for empowerment and self-employment generation for women were institutions unique to Kerala, she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his Government would sign the contract with the Dubai Internet City for the implementation of the Smart City project, in the light of the positive judgment from the High Court.

Referring to the reported statement by Leader of the Opposition V. S. Achuthanandan on the Smart City Project, Mr. Chandy said he preferred to go to jail on the issue rather than desisting from inking the contract.

During the five years of UDF rule, the State had succeeded in attracting investment, creating new job opportunities and making development the slogan, Mr. Chandy said.

According to him, "by signing the contract, we were sending a message to the world that we are an investment-friendly destination."

Revenue Minister K. M. Mani, who spoke on the occasion, said the various surveys did not reflect the real sentiments of the people. Referring to the 2004 pre-poll surveys, he pointed out that many of them had predicted that the BJP would come back to power.

Instead, people put the UPA under the leadership of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in power. The same would happen in Kerala this time, he said.

KPCC(I) president Ramesh Chennithala presided over the function. Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs translated Mrs. Gandhi's speech. Mrs. Gandhi who was to arrive by 11 a.m. was late by nearly two hours.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

`Vote for positive agenda of UDF'

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu