The Kerala High Court's decision to allow distribution of ration rice to all cardholders at Rs.2 a kg is a morale booster for the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Coming as it does right when the election campaign is moving into top gear, the court decision has given LDF campaigners a poll plank. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has sought an apology from Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy on the issue. The United Democratic Front (UDF) had approached the Election Commission contending that the government decision amounted to an attempt to influence voters.
Leaders of the LDF had been training their guns on both the UDF and the Election Commission over the issue. The High Court decision would help them draw focused attention to the measure, which could prove a big draw with the masses, particularly those who stand to benefit from it. The LDF government's original proposal was to provide ration rice at Rs.2 a kg to 40 lakh families identified by the State as Below Poverty Line (BPL). This was later extended to all ration cardholders regardless of their income and the Cabinet had taken the decision well before the model code of conduct came into force, something that the High Court took note of in its order.
The government had been pitching its programmes at the lowest strata of society and had announced an array of schemes in the 2011-12 budget targeted at this section. The focus of the LDF's election manifesto is also on welfare benefits for the maximum number of people.
