TRIVANDRUM, 19 April 2006 — Congress party President Sonia Gandhi and opposition leader L.K. Advani yesterday hit the campaign trail in Kerala that goes to the state Assembly polls from Saturday.
Asserting that the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s return to power was essential for the state’s all-around development, Sonia said that unlike the opposition, the ruling coalition was seeking a mandate based on a positive and constructive agenda.
During her whirlwind campaign in the southern parts of the southernmost state, she said the UDF alone could ensure social harmony and stability as it had always followed the path of consensus, taking all sections of the people into confidence. “Only the UDF has a positive and constructive agenda for continued growth and development,” she said. She however chose not to attack the left parties politically since they prop up the Congress-led government in New Delhi.
Lauding the state government’s achievements under Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Sonia asked the people of Kerala to give a fresh mandate to the coalition as much more remained to be done in the state.
She listed overall economic development, opening up of higher education sector and health care insurance cover and cheap ration rice for the poor as the major achievements of the UDF government.
“Let the UDF be given another chance and it will continue the good work it has started for the welfare of every citizen,” she added.
Smart City Deal to Be Signed Soon
Chief Minister Chandy meanwhile said he would soon sign the final agreement with the Dubai Technology, Electronics, Commerce, and Media Zone Authority (Tecom) for setting up an exclusive zone for software industry.
Kerala High Court had yesterday permitted him to go ahead with its signing, setting aside a directive of the Election Commission. The Rs. 17 billion project, on the lines of the Dubai Internet City (DIC), is expected to bring in global IT giants to the port city.
