Thiruvananthapuram: The election manifesto of Kerala’s ruling United Democratic Front is likely to sound close to former India prime minister Indira Gandhi’s famous and successful ‘Garibi Hatao’ (abolish poverty) slogan of 1971, indications say.
Local media reported that when the UDF’s election manifesto is released on Wednesday, the key slogan will be, “Houses for all, food for all and health for all”.
The manifesto is scheduled to be released by chief minister Oommen Chandy at his official residence, the Cliff House, on Wednesday.
Political observers do not expect any change in the manifesto with regard to UDF’s liquor policy. The government had vowed to bring in prohibition in a phased manner, and cancelled liquor licences for all hotel bars except the bars in five-star hotels.
Other promises in the manifesto deal with self-sufficiency in food, as well as raising the standards of education.
Both are likely to be received with suspicion, considering the poor growth in the agricultural sector, and the fact that the government could not deliver textbooks to students even months after schools were opened.
A meeting of the UDF has been scheduled for Wednesday, after which the election manifesto will be released. Kerala goes to the polls on May 16.
