THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The ‘janapaksha yatra’ will not be a political war cry against the Opposition political parties but would emphasise on ‘positive politics’ and try to address many crucial issues of the people in the state, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president V M Sudheeran here on Monday.
Speaking to mediapersons before leaving for Kasargod to start his yatra on Tuesday from the state’s border at Kumbala, Sudheeran said that an earnest effort is being made by the KPCC to draw attention of the public on the grave issues facing the society.
‘’The yatra is being held when there is a feeling among the public that mainstream political parties are not taking up issues of concern of the people and only interested in capturing power and retaining it or coming back to power again in elections,’’ he said.
‘’But there is a situation now wherein measures initiated by the government to bring down the availability of liquor, a conscious attempt to address the garbage manage issue and eco-concerns are being discussed actively. There is a new vigour. It is time for political parties to shed the politics of negativism and turn positive,’’ he said.
Sudheeran said that the KPCC feels that on topics like prohibition the participation of the public is needed for its successful implementation. This is also needed for implementing government’s policies and administrative measures.
‘’Apart from the campaign for prohibition, the yatra is also keen to galvanise people on the foundations of secularism and democratic values. It is all the more important since the Modi government is proving again and again that the people are divided to meet their ulterior motives,’’ he said.
The month-long campaign will also strongly aim at countering the politics of violence and killings. ‘’In a state which is a model to the country,unfortunately the politics of murder is being followed by the CPM and BJP. This has to stop. Instead of ideological fights, taking to arms cannot be allowed anymore,’’ Sudheeran said.
Atrocities against women and children are on the rise in the state and measures are needed to stem it. The state has become a fertile field of all diseases and going back to nature and saying no to pesticides-laden vegetables and fruits is the need of the hour, he added, and said that his yatra would campaign for it.
‘’A waste management policy is needed in the state since garbage and filth has resulted in causing health problems in a big way,’’ he noted.
A team of KPCC office-bearers and other leaders will follow the yatra by turn, and will address meets at a given point, slated to commence two hours before the arrival of Sudheeran. In spite of repeated queries, KPCC president continued to be ambiguous in his replies to queries by mediapersons on the bribery charge against Finance Minister K M Mani. Without mentioning Mani’s name,he said that it is not a serious issue.
‘’Vested interests are on the prowl to belittle the good things piloted by the United Democratic Front government. It was evident when the government announced its liquor policy itself,’’ he said.
At the same time, he was non-committal on whether a conspiracy was hatched by such vested interests against Mani as alleged by the latter and the Kerala Congress.
CM to Flag off Event
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will flag off the yatra from Kumbala on Tuesday evening, at a function presided over by Sudheeran’s predecessor KPCC president and Home minister Ramesh Chennithala. Mukul Wasnik, AICC general secretary in charge of the state, will deliver the keynote address.