Ensuring safety and security of women and the youth figure among the top priorities of Anita Pratap, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate in Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency.
The other priorities of hers include infrastructure development, eradication of corruption, food, safety and security, health and education.
Explaining that no development could happen without ensuring the safety and security of the ‘aam aadmi’, Ms. Pratap pointed out that safety and security has to begin right from the home and extend to the workplace.
Referring to infrastructure development, the former CNN journalist said Kochi should have development but not at the cost of environment and destruction of its rich heritage. “We need flyovers and bridges but the city also requires scientific waste management initiatives and measures to control the mosquito menace,” she said.
Ms. Pratap said corruption in Kerala remained a major issue even though its levels may be low compared to Delhi. “The common man faces corruption and harassment at every level,” she said. Taking a dig on UDF candidate K.V. Thomas’s claim of being the architect of food security, Ms. Pratap said it must not be confined to glossy advertisements in newspapers or narrow down to a mere publicity material.
“We need to streamline the public distribution system. People should also get clean and unadulterated food,” she said.
The AAP candidate reminded that no city could prosper without providing quality education and healthcare to its people. “It’s a pity that people have to sell their property and other valuables to meet the escalating cost of medicare these days,” she said.