Modi’s guarantees hold no value, says Satheesan
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) remains steadfast in its fight against communalism and fascism. He was inaugurating the election convention of Hibi Eden, the UDF candidate for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency, here on Thursday.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oftrepeated “guarantees”, Mr. Satheesan sought to know what had happened to Modi’s guarantees that he had given a decade ago when he first came to power. It has proven beyond doubt that Modi’s word holds no value, he said.
Mr. Satheesan dubbed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the Kerala version of fascism. Welfare pensions remain unpaid over the last seven months. More than a crore beneficiaries are in crisis for want of pension and medicines, he added.
Ernakulam remains a bastion of the UDF. Mr. Satheesan praised Mr. Eden, saying that the latter’s Parliamentary speeches were enviable. His performance in Parliament was a testimony to how effectively the opportunity to serve the people could be used.
IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty accused the Central and State governments of being indifferent to issues affecting the people. He claimed that the UDF would sweep Kerala without conceding even a single seat to the LDF.
The BJP is following a policy that is harmful to all sections, Mr. Kunhalikutty said, adding that the party would be demolished in Uttar Pradesh. Former Minister P.J. Joseph said the successive LDF governments led by Mr. Vijayan had only spawned disaster for the people.