Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Apr 4 (TNT) : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Saturday appealed to voters in Kerala to elect candidates backed by the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the upcoming Assembly elections, promising better welfare, governance and secular administration.
Addressing election rallies in Pathanamthitta and other parts of the state, Bhatti criticised the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) for allegedly failing to fulfil its promises and claimed governance standards had declined.
He cited issues such as alleged irregularities at Sabarimala Temple, rising unemployment and migration of youth abroad, and said senior citizens were being neglected without adequate welfare support.
Stating that Kerala’s traditional values of secularism and high human development were weakening, he alleged deviation from communist principles and said Congress ideology stood for peace, good governance and inclusivity.
Highlighting Telangana as a model, he said the state government had implemented most of its poll promises within two years.
As Finance Minister, he said he was ready to present detailed accounts and invited critics to verify welfare schemes in Telangana.
He listed key initiatives including free bus travel for women, distribution of fine rice to over one crore families, free electricity up to 200 units for 53 lakh households, ₹500 gas cylinders, housing for the poor, farm loan waiver up to ₹2 lakh, and filling of 70,000 government jobs.
He also highlighted investments in education and healthcare, including the establishment of Young India Integrated Residential Schools.
For Kerala, he said that if the UDF comes to power, it would introduce measures such as ₹1,000 monthly assistance for women college students, interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for youth, enhancement of social pensions to ₹3,000, and a ₹25 lakh insurance scheme for senior citizens in the name of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
He added that a dedicated Ministry for Senior Citizens would be set up to address their needs.
Senior Congress leader Rudraraju and others also participated in the campaign.
TNT TS
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