MANJESHWARAM: CPM politburo member Prakash Karat said on Friday that the UDF government has been steeped in corruption, and only the LDF could offer a graft-free governance in the state. “Corruption and development cannot go together. Oommen Chandy’s government is the most corrupted government in the history Kerala,” he said. “Five years ago, the UDF government came to power promising jobs for youths but the promise has been wiped off,” Karat said.
Karat promised a secular, corruption-free, pro-people government under the CPM. “The party has prepared a blueprint for the progress of Kerala, and the statewide tour would take those ideas to the people. But Kerala should remain secular. Only then it can march forward,” he said.Karat said the communal elements in Kerala have been strengthening, sourcing inspiration from the Narendra Modi-led central government. “They are rallying caste-based organisations to widen their base. This will disrupt the harmony among the people practising different faiths. We should stop that,” he said.Karat also said the terror attack on Pathankot air base has exposed Modi’s claim of BJP being the best party to tackle the menace of terrorism. “We cannot stop all terror attack. But in the case of Pathankot, the government got a 24-hour headstart and yet, seven of India’s soldiers died,” he said.
‘Philosophy of BJP Prez won’t work’
V S Achuthanandan, who was given a rousing welcome by the crowd, said the philosophy of BJP state president Kummanam Rajshekharan would not work in Kerala. He said the LDF would achieve substantial gain through the Nava Kerala Yatra.