Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan said on Thursday that UDF’s ‘Puthu Yuga Yatra’ from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, beginning on Friday, would be a people’s movement to reclaim Kerala from what he called a 10-year misrule under Pinarayi Vijayan’s LDF govt.Addressing the media, he said the yatra, led by him, would go beyond conventional political marches held ahead of assembly elections and would serve as a platform to engage directly with the people. “This will be a historic people’s movement that listens to citizens and incorporates their suggestions to lead Kerala into a new era,” he said, adding that the people would decisively reject the LDF govt.
Satheesan claimed that the arrogant and authoritarian govt, despite projecting itself as leftist, adopted a ‘far-right, fascist mindset’ similar to Modi-led BJP regime. He claimed the absence of effective administration was Kerala’s biggest challenge and said the state faced a serious governance deficit.He alleged that key sectors such as health and education deteriorated over the past decade while welfare and development activities suffered due to a severe fund crisis. He blamed corruption, fraud and backdoor appointments for pushing the state into economic distress, with ordinary citizens bearing the burden through increased taxes and service charges.Citing rising costs, he pointed to a Rs 2 cess on fuel, a 20% hike in fair land value, increased prices of subsidised food items, a 300% hike in water charges and repeated power tariff revisions since May 2021. He claimed Kerala recorded the highest inflation among states for 11 consecutive months and remained under treasury control due to financial strain.Satheesan warned that by the end of LDF’s tenure, the state’s total debt would reach Rs 6 lakh crore, with arrears to govt employees and welfare boards pushing the figure to Rs 8 lakh crore. He also criticized the condition of universities and colleges, citing academic decline and increasing migration of students abroad.Highlighting alleged corruption in national highway construction and the granting of parole to CPM-linked criminals, including those convicted in TP Chandrasekharan’s murder, he said such practices must be curbed.He said UDF would use the yatra to present an alternative vision with clear plans to revive the economy, protect democratic rights and safeguard Kerala’s secular fabric.
