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Kerala Polls: UDF Confident of 100+ Seats, Unveils Welfare-Focused Manifesto

Congress leader VD Satheesan has expressed strong confidence that the UDF alliance will secure over 100 seats in the upcoming Kerala assembly elections. He emphasized the front's detailed manifesto, which includes district-specific projects and concrete development plans. Key promises feature five guarantees from Rahul Gandhi, such as free bus travel for women and a significant increase in welfare pensions. The manifesto also focuses on farmer support prices, housing, healthcare reforms, and employment generation for the youth.

Key Points: UDF Eyes 100+ Seats in Kerala, Unveils Manifesto with Key Promises

  • Free bus travel for women
  • Rs 6,000 monthly for poorest families
  • Rs 3,000 welfare pension
  • Support prices for rubber & paddy
  • Jobs for 5 lakh youth
3 min read

"UDF will come back with more than 100 seats": Congress' VD Satheesan ahead of Keralam assembly polls

Congress leader VD Satheesan predicts UDF win with 100+ seats. Manifesto details free bus travel for women, NYAY scheme, jobs, and farmer support.

"Team UDF will come back with more than 100 seats... We have concrete projects, not just declarations. - VD Satheesan"

Kochi, April 2

Congress leader VD Satheesan on Thursday expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front will win more than 100 seats in the Kerala assembly elections.

He also highlighted the party's detailed manifesto, district-specific projects, and development plans.

Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, "Team UDF will come back with more than 100 seats... The five guarantees announced by Rahul ji are already included in our manifesto. Additionally, we have declared 27 aviation projects, coastal shipping, social security measures, tribal university, and schemes for jobs. We have done detailed research on all these subjects."

"There are many district-specific projects. The Congress and UDF have credibility among the people here. We have taken this stand because we have been exposing the govt. We have concrete projects, not just declarations," he said.

Elections for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with the counting of votes on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

Earlier in the day, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) unveiled its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in exactly a week.

Key promises include free bus travel for women across the state, an increase of welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 monthly. College-going girl students will receive Rs 1,000 per month and families will get a Rs 25 lakh insurance scheme.

The 2026 UDF manifesto includes a range of promises aimed at welfare, development, and employment. Under the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) Scheme, the party pledged to provide Rs 6,000 per month to the poorest families below the poverty line. Welfare pensions are set to increase in stages to Rs 3,000.

Farmers are also a focus, with support prices for rubber and paddy proposed at Rs 250 and Rs 35 per kilogram. On housing, the UDF promised to ensure homes for all eligible individuals by addressing defects in the 'Life Mission' project, aiming for a homeless-free Kerala.

In healthcare, the manifesto has reforms to make the Karunya Insurance scheme more efficient and the establishment of dialysis centres in all Panchayats. For education, UDF plans to set up international standard learning facilities in higher education through collaborations with foreign universities.

Employment initiatives include launching Skill Development programs to provide jobs to five lakh youth within five years. Consumer protection measures will target rising prices of essential goods. For the fishing community, sea relief and housing projects are set to be restarted.

Women's empowerment is also emphasised, with promises to expand self-employment loans through Kudumbashree and implement stricter laws for women's safety. Additionally, monthly free kits will be provided to all yellow cardholders (AAY).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The focus on women's safety and free bus travel is very welcome! As a working woman in Kochi, safe and affordable transport is a major concern. The Rs 1000 for college girls will also help so many families. Hope these aren't just poll promises. 🤞
R
Rohit P
Finally some concrete talk about jobs for the youth! 5 lakh jobs in 5 years through skill development sounds ambitious but necessary. The IT sector in Trivandrum and Kochi is growing, but we need more opportunities in other districts too. UDF needs to show a clear roadmap.
A
Ananya R
The support price for rubber at Rs 250/kg is a lifeline for farmers in Kottayam and Idukki if implemented. We've been struggling for years. This, along with the pension increase, shows they are thinking of the common man. Let's see if they can win and actually do it.
M
Michael C
Interesting to watch from abroad. Kerala's development model is unique. The focus on social security, healthcare (dialysis in all Panchayats is huge), and education collaborations is impressive. Hope the political debate stays on these development issues.
K
Kavitha C
Where is the money for all this coming from? Rs 6000 per month for poor families, Rs 3000 pension, free travel, insurance... the fiscal math needs to be transparent. We don't want empty guarantees that bankrupt the state. A detailed cost analysis should be part of the manifesto.

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