UDF, LDF manifestos show similar welfare focus but differ in approach ahead of Kerala polls

KOCHI: The manifestos of UDF and LDF, released exactly a week before polls, reveal some striking similarities, with both fronts harping on welfare and development.The manifestos contain a wide range of assurances — welfare schemes, particularly in healthcare; employment; education and infrastructure. Both fronts have promised to increase welfare pensions to ₹3,000. Major infra proposals such as metro rail in both Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode find mention in both manifestos. High-speed rail, measures to address human-animal conflicts, increasing minimum support price for crops and interest-free loans for youth are also common promises.Another major common promise is elderly care. With Kerala having an ageing population, both fronts have announced comprehensive services for senior citizens. UDF has even promised a separate ministry for elderly welfare."Only a 5% voters change minds which impact assembly elections in Kerala. In 2021, NRKs returned due to Covid and elderly population voted for LDF. There is no large-scale return of migrants this time, so the elderly will play a key role as one out of five votes is an elderly person. That has prompted fronts to announce benefits for the elderly in their manifestos," said demographer and International Institute of Migration and Development chair S Irudaya Rajan. LDF manifesto is based on a 60-point programme focusing on continuity of governance and the people's planning campaign under the banner Nava Keralam, with key pledges including making the state poverty-free. Other major assurances include job opportunities to 50% women in the state, skill training for educated youth and increased support for MSMEs.UDF manifesto focuses on welfare schemes modelled on programmes implemented in Congress-ruled states such as Karnataka and Telangana under Indira Guarantee framework. They include free bus travel for women and financial aid of ₹1,000 for female college students.UDF manifesto also promises to establish a ‘Tribal University' in Wayanad, increasing ASHAs' daily wage to ₹700 and healthcare reforms including bill-less hospitals. It also proposes legislation such as Rohith Vemula Act to address caste-based discrimination in higher education and the creation of a ‘Job Watch Tower' to track global employment trends and align academic curricula accordingly.Additionally, the manifesto proposes unique initiatives such as a ‘Peace and Harmony' department, inspired by Rajasthan model to curb political violence and a ‘Ministry of Tolerance' aimed at promoting communal harmony.Economists and social scientists have described many of the assurances as "old wine in a new bottle" without clear road maps for implementation. Experts also observe that one week is too little a time to examine the proposals in detail.Economist B A Prakash asked how the new govt would keep the promises made in the manifestos at a time when Kerala is facing a serious fiscal situation — a continuous deficit since 2001.Prakash also criticised LDF for not prioritising financial management, stating that continuous borrowing has pushed Kerala into a debt trap. He cited fiscal data published by CAG, which shows a precarious financial situation. "There is not enough money in treasury even for ongoing development projects," said Prakash.Rajan said that while employment has been highlighted in both manifestos, the real issue in Kerala is not a lack of jobs but need for better wages.