He said that in this election, the development in Puthuppally and adjacent regions will be discussed, but some people don't want that to happen.
Pinarayi Vijayan with Jaick C Thomas in Puthuppally. (Jaick C Thomas/ Facebook)
On Thursday, 24 August, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack against the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), citing a lack of development in its stronghold Puthuppally, which is headed for by-election on 5 September.
Addressing a massive gathering at Puthuppally and Ayarkunnam in the constituency, Vijayan listed the achievements of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) regime in all sectors and said that the situation in Kerala under the previous UDF government, seven years ago, was pathetic.
The senior CPI(M) leader, while seeking the support of Puthuppally voters for the LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas, said that development is only possible when one is committed to society.
Vijayan raked up the development discussion during the by-election campaign in a bid to override the sympathy wave expected by the UDF. The by-election to the seat was necessitated due to senior Congress leader and former chief minister Oommen Chandy’s demise on 18 July after battling cancer.
He said that in this election, the development in Puthuppally and adjacent regions will be discussed, but some people don’t want that to happen. “The people know the real situation of the constituency and it will reflect in the election,” Vijayan said.
He added that the situation of Kerala before the Left Front came to power was “pathetic”.
Before 2016, people used to think that no development was possible in Kerala. However, after we came to power, we brought change, Vijayan said. He added that UDF apathy delayed many major projects in the state.
He added that the Left government overcame the obstacles and mismanagement of the UDF and implemented major projects, including national highways and the GAIL pipeline, among others, after holding discussions and providing proper compensation to the local residents.
“Development is possible only if you have a commitment towards the society. The lackadaisical attitude of the Congress delayed many major projects in the state,” Vijayan said.
He also lashed out at the UDF parliamentarians, saying that they refuse to speak for Kerala in front of the Union government and highlighted the Kidangoor panchayat matter. Last week, the UDF secured power in the Kidangoor panchayat in the district with the support of BJP members.
While the UDF has fielded Chandy Oommen, son of late Oommen Chandy, from the constituency, the BJP had announced the party’s Kottayam district president, G Lijin Lal, as its nominee.
The by-election will be held on 5 September and the results will be announced on 8 September.
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