LDF to launch regional jathas ahead of elections; mistakes will be corrected, says LDF Convener

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF has decided to organise regional jathas to win public support ahead of the Assembly elections.

LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan said the front will closely examine public responses after it failed to achieve the expected success in the local body elections. He said any shortcomings on the part of the front will be corrected.

Explanatory meetings will be held in Assembly constituencies under the leadership of MLAs. On January 12th, a protest led by the Chief Minister will be organised at the Martyrs’ Column in Thiruvananthapuram against the anti-people policies of the central government.

CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan will lead the northern region jatha. It will start from Manjeshwar on February 1 and conclude at Tirur on February 15, covering 60 Assembly constituencies. The central region jatha will be led by Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani. It will begin at Angamaly on February 6 and end at Aranmula on February 13, covering 33 constituencies. The southern region jatha will be led by CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam. It will start from Chelakkara on February 4 and conclude at Thiruvananthapuram on February 14, covering 47 constituencies.

Speaking at a press conference after the LDF meeting, Ramakrishnan alleged that the UDF carried out widespread false propaganda against the LDF, including on issues related to Sabarimala.

He said there was propaganda claiming that a defeat of the UDF would benefit the Sangh Parivar. He alleged that false campaigns were carried out on issues such as Vizhinjam rehabilitation, Sabarimala, and the J.B. Koshy Commission.

Ramakrishnan also said that the UDF and BJP attempted communal polarisation, but expressed confidence that the LDF would overcome these challenges and win the Assembly elections.