THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala is elated as he and a band of UDF leaders have entered a final lap with the month-long ‘Padayorukkam’. The campaign couldn’t ask for more while pinpointing many a failure of the state and Central governments leaving the common man in dire straits. The rousing reception that the campaign had received across the state has undoubtedly given the Congress and the UDF a lease of life. Declaring a war on the Left and the BJP,the success of the campaign was writ large on the Opposition leader’s words. Excerpts from an interview with Express.
Q. Did ‘Padayorukkam’ match your expectations results-wise ? If yes,why ?
A. Definitely, the campaign was a big draw. As days passed after the launch of the campaign, what we have experienced was the seething discontent of the people towards various policies of the Narendra Modi and Pinarayi Vijayan Governments. The two governments together has made life miserable for the common man in Kerala. Be it shooting prices of essential commodities or demonetisation-related issues, people are left in the lurch. Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks loud but there are no results. The same is the case with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Nothing is moving in the state.
The status of the much trumpeted four Missions announced by the Left Government is a classic example. It is dead. The state is going bankrupt. Already payment of various pensions has been hit. It remains to be seen how the salaries of employees are going to be disbursed, without compromising other listed expenditures, including which was earmarked for development purposes. It seems that the government has not got even a plan to tide over issues related to GST and revenue losses. People are aware of everything and mere statements would not suffice.
More than half a lakh people in each Assembly segment had spontaneously given their signature to the chargesheets against the two governments, carried out as part of the UDF campaign. Ruling governments should never underestimate the people. People have came out in the streets all over supporting ‘Padayorukkam’, out of their desperateness towards policies of the two governments,making it a sort of movement.
Q. Compared to its start,did the campaign acquire strength in its course out of the political developments ?
A. In fact, our job became easy as the CPM and the CPI warring on many issues, and the Chief Minister and the CPM dithering on issues centred around resigned minister Thomas Chandy, P V Anwar MLA and Joice George MP were out in the open. As for teh UDF and Congress cadre, attempts to malign a leader like Oommen Chandy by ugly charges of rape made them to react. The re-emergence of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in recent months was indeed a game changer.
Q. You had predicted that when ‘Padayorukkam’ ends, politics in the state is poised for a change ?
A.The UDF has become closely knitted now, thanks to the campaign. Conversely, the message has gone out to the people. The relevance of the front has leaped by bounds, as people have seen both the CPM-led Left and the BJP in its true colours. The aversion of the peace-loving masses in the state towards violence and killings was also reflected in the huge support gathered by ‘Padayorukkam’. Both the parties have very well proved they cannot ensure dignity for Keralites.
Q. After ‘Padayorukkam,’ what next to keep the claimed tempo for the UDF?
A . We are into an election mode, setting goals for the parliament polls. The UDF would remain united and stronger. We are not keen to rope in any outfit from the Left camp. The present UDF can prove its mettle on its own. The assurance we are giving to the people is on development, on alleviation of the suffering of farmers and sidelined sections of society and a peaceful state.