Instilling confidence, the Congress way

Thiruvananthapuram: UDF leaders waxing lyrical on the achievements of the government, and opposition countering them is a common scene now. But how prepared and efficient are the political parties in presenting facts before the electorate?
To highlight UDF government's achievements and to effectively neutralize negative campaign, KPCC has organized a one-day public speaking training camp for district-level Congress leaders from all 140 constituencies.The camp provided the leaders with required vided the leaders with required data regarding amount spent for welfare measures, development initiatives and other details to counter LDF allegation that the UDF rule has dried up the exchequer.
“Congress leaders look less confident in discussions. That must change,“ state finance commission chairman B A Prakash told the camp. Describing the financial situation, he said that an economic survey has lauded Kerala for its efforts to eradicate poverty.
“Focus must be given to welfare measures. Around 25% of the population enjoys benefit of Re 1 rice. Around 11% gets various welfare pensions. Around 82,000 benefitted from Karunya scheme,“ he said, asking the participants to project chief minister Oommen Chandy as the one who took maximum efforts to eradicate poverty in the 60-year history of the state.
Copies of a book listing the anti-people activities of the NDA, achievements of state government and CPM's violent politics were distributed. Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram DCC general secretary Swapna George said that except for major events attended by VIPs, kudumbayogams, corner meetings and bayogams, corner meetings and mandalam conventions, the rest are attended by local leaders.
“It is for the first time that Congress is organizing a centralized meeting of leaders from 140 constituencies. It is important to have rich and authentic data when you face the public.Usually, most leaders present data which lacks accuracy . The event was held as part of KPCC's pre-poll preparation,“ she said, adding that the camp had instilled a positive spirit among the workers.