Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala
Video Credit: Businessline
What are the big poll issues for UDF?
The anti-incumbency of the government is definitely going to be favourable for us. 10 years is a long period, and the LDF government of Kerala has not performed. The government has not taken any initiative to redress the grievances of the people. On the contrary, people’s problems have increased manifold. So, the people are seeking a change in the government. Price rise is also a big issue. No industry has come here. There is hardly any private investment in Kerala, while other States are getting crores and crores of projects. That is why lakhs of students from Kerala are going abroad. Political violence also is taking place in the campuses by SFI and others. So, people are fed up with that, and they are going abroad, seeking higher studies and jobs. Exodus of the young from Kerala is a big issue. When we will come to power, we will give quality education under global standards.
Does the UDF have any industry friendly plans?
For the last five years, UDF has been prime opposition in the State, and you will notice that we have not initiated any strike or bandh because we want investments to come to the State. By contrast, when we were in power, the LDF resorted to all kinds of aggressive protests and hartals so that nobody will come to invest in Kerala. The main issue here in Kerala is the low investment because of their [LDF’s] parochial attitude and no speedy implementation of the projects. They said they have an open-door policy and have streamlined bureaucratic system, but unfortunately, the red tapeism still exists under this government. Also, people are afraid to come and invest in Kerala. Our banks are filled with the money of NRIs. But the credit-deposit ratio is very low because banks are averse in giving loans, which shows that the people have no confidence in the State government.
Have you chartered out any vision for industrial development?
We are primarily for industrial development. Our students should not go outside, and Kerala should not become an old-age State. We have already become a silver economy like in Japan, with more older people and fewer young people.
On the political front, the analysis seems to be that the Christian vote is going to be the deciding factor in the State elections. How are you addressing that?
Our stronghold has always been Christians and Muslims and, of course, we have the support of the Hindu community, too. This time also the same thing will continue.
Other than the anti-incumbency factor, what are the other factors that you think might favour the UDF?
Sri Rahul Gandhi has declared five guarantees for Kerala (free bus travel for women, ₹1,000 a month for college girls, welfare pensions of ₹3,000, health insurance and interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for small businesses). We are all set to create a new Kerala.
Published on March 24, 2026