Padayorukkam, the Statewide vehicular march of the United Democratic Front (UDF), got off to a lively start on November 1, Kerala Formation Day, from the border town here. The UDF leadership was hopeful that the campaign would serve a firm warning to the “fascist” and “anti-people” policies pursued by the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Left Democratic Front government in the State.
“It is ironic that both the BJP and the CPI(M), in their recent assertions, have treated the Congress as their main political rival. The CPI(M) might even try to torpedo the Congress bid to forge a broad secular alliance to throw the BJP out of power,” said Congress leader A.K. Antony, flagging off the march in the evening. During the month-long march, UDF leaders should expose the hidden agenda of the BJP and the Left, he said.
Demonetisation
The demonetisation of higher-value currencies announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 last year abysmally failed to tap black money and only served to put the general public into hardship. Even the Goods and Service Tax (GST) enforcement, conceived by the previous UPA government, resulted in economic slowdown. It was implemented without proper preparation. A cross section of people, including traders and consumers, are weary of the faulty decision. The Congress, if voted back to power at the Centre, would rectify the anomalies in the tax regime, he said.
Against LDF
Accusing the LDF government in the State of pursuing “anti-people policies sending prices of essential commodities to unprecedented levels,” Mr. Antony said the march would try to expose the pseudo political manoeuvres by the CPI(M) and the BJP.
The function was attended by senior UDF leaders including Oommen Chandy, KPCC president M.M. Hassan, IUML leaders Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal and P.K. Kunhalikutty, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan, Forward Bloc leader G. Devarajan, JD(U) State president M.P. Veerendrakumar, apart from UDF leaders from across the State.
The march was accorded a public reception on Wednesday evening. Mr. Chennithala would address similar functions at Chattamchal in the Uduma Assembly segment, Kanhangad, and Thrikkarippur before entering Kannur on Thursday evening.
