Kerala polls: UDF unveils manifesto with welfare, infra push; Mission Samudra as growth engine
Kochi: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday unveiled an expansive, welfare-driven manifesto for the Kerala Assembly elections with a strong infrastructure pitch, as Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy released the document in Kochi, in the presence of senior alliance leaders, signalling a high-stakes electoral push.
Kerala goes to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 new legislators.
At the heart of the manifesto is “Mission Samudra”, an ambitious plan to transform Kerala into a global maritime hub by leveraging its 600 km coastline, 44 rivers and network of ports.
The project proposes a phased water transport grid integrating cargo movement, passenger services and tourism, culminating in a unified coastal logistics ecosystem.
Complementing this is a major aviation expansion blueprint, including runway and terminal upgrades, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) hubs, logistics parks and route development incentives to boost connectivity and investment.
The UDF has placed significant emphasis on job creation and entrepreneurship.
It promises to facilitate 10,000 MSMEs with annual revenues exceeding Rs 100 crore through dedicated financial instruments such as revolving funds, technology funds and venture support.
A proposed “Job Watch Tower” will track global employment trends and align higher education with evolving job markets.
On welfare, the manifesto attempts to strike a populist chord.
Social security pensions are promised at Rs 3,000, backed by legislation to ensure entitlement.
The alliance has pledged to revive schemes like the Karunya Benevolent Fund, expand subsidised ration access and launch “Indira Canteens” to ensure affordable food.
Special focus is given to youth and women, with 5 per cent of plan funds earmarked for youth-led initiatives and enhanced support for women’s employment and safety.
Healthcare and education receive substantial attention.
The UDF promises higher budget allocation for health, free dialysis for BPL families, expansion of medical colleges and measures to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
In education, reforms include anti-ragging legislation, student mobility programmes and scholarships for study in India and abroad.
The manifesto also addresses farmers and coastal communities, promising fair price mechanisms, rubber price support, diesel subsidies for fishermen and legal backing for fishing rights.
Tribal welfare, housing for the poor and targeted schemes for marginalised groups form a key plank of the social agenda.
With a mix of infrastructure ambition and welfare assurances, the UDF manifesto seeks to position itself as both growth-oriented and socially responsive, setting the stage for a direct contest of development narratives in the upcoming polls.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the UDF government will meet once a month to examine the progress of the implementation of the manifesto.