THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition, which took up the food kit as a weapon against the state government, received a setback when the Election Commission stopped the distribution of kits based on its complaint. The Left has taken up the issue as a major campaign topic by accusing the UDF of stopping the food kits. The DYFI intensified its attack by staging a protest against
the UDF.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala lashed out at the CM by alleging that rice reimbursement was kept pending for 8 months in order to disburse it ahead of the elections. "Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should answer to the people on why the rice disbursement was kept pending for the last 8 months and why you want to disburse it just before elections. It's not
strange that LDF remembers people only at the eve of elections," he said.

Chennithala, who gained an upper hand in the campaign by criticising the LDF over double votes, initially took up the food kit issue as another major weapon against the government. Following this, a complaint was handed over to the Election Commission. The commission then blocked the distribution of special rice for white and blue cards. However, this move backfired for the opposition when the Left parties accused them of denying food kits and welfare pensions to the people.

The CPM state secretariat stated that the ban on rations and food rations was a challenge to the people and a legal action would be taken against the Election Commission's move.

Govt to go for legal action

The food and civil supplies ministry has decided to adopt the legal route in order to take action against the poll panel’s decision. The Election Commission will also be asked to reconsider the ban. The Election Commission has also sought an explanation for the government's move to provide free kits to school children.