Thiruvananthapuram, 09 Jan (H.S.): The Left Democratic Front (LDF) will meet at 10 am today to chart its political roadmap for the forthcoming Kerala Assembly elections, with a special focus on analysing the unexpected setback suffered in the recent local body polls. Leaders of all constituent parties are expected to present their assessments, as the Assembly election notification is likely to be issued soon.
The meeting will take up a detailed discussion on the factors that led to the electoral reverses and the steps needed to address them ahead of the Assembly polls. Another key agenda item is the series of protests planned by the LDF against what it describes as the Union government’s continued neglect of Kerala.
As part of this agitation, the LDF will launch its first major protest on the 12th. On that day, the Chief Minister, ministers, MPs, MLAs and other elected representatives will stage a protest near the Palayam Martyrs’ Memorial in Thiruvananthapuram. The front has decided that the campaign against the Centre will be its principal political plank in the Assembly elections.
The meeting will also give shape to district-level protest programmes, with local self-government institutions serving as the focal points. In addition, discussions will be held on organising three region-based political yatras. As per the earlier understanding within the front, one yatra will be led by CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan, another by CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, and the third by Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly instructed ministers to move forward with the target of securing victory in at least 110 Assembly constituencies. Acknowledging that the local body elections delivered a setback, the Chief Minister said the shortcomings could be overcome with focused political and organisational efforts.
To take the government’s achievements more effectively to the people, the LDF government will roll out a 50-day action programme. Ministers have been assigned coordination responsibilities for specific constituencies, and special strategies will be implemented in 110 targeted seats to maximise electoral prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
