The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has sought to hammer out election promises by the United Democratic Front (UDF), including free travel for women on public transport buses. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi gave the assurance here on Saturday at a political rally marking the culmination of the state-wide Puthuyuga Yatra led by Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan.
Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar said Mr Gandhi’s “airy promise” was a sure recipe to ruin the cash-strapped Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). “A similar quixotic decision in Karnataka has financially ruined the Congress-ruled RTC state,” he said.
“Mr Gandhi has announced wholesale free travel for women irrespective of their financial background. KSRTC operations will come to a standstill if women who own cars, including government employees, decide to travel free in public transport buses. Corporation employees will be without pension and salary within a week and KSRTC will be forced to cancel timetables,” said Mr Ganesh Kumar.
“KSRTC runs its operations on a tight financial lease. It has increased revenue, reduced losses and streamlined operations. The LDF government subsidizes KSRTC by an estimated ₹120 crore per year. Yet KSRTC is struggling to meet its obligations, including outstanding pensions.”
Law Minister P. Rajeeve said that Mr. Gandhi had demonstrated the political mannerisms of a puppet of the Sangh Parivar. “He openly wondered why the Center did not jail Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,” he said. Mr. Rajeev called Mr. Gandhi an “incompetent LOP” and a “truant leader who goes on foreign trips” at times of national crisis.
To Kejriwal
Mr. Rajeeve said the Congress under Mr. Gandhi filed a false complaint that helped central agencies “unfairly imprison” AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “Congress governments in Telangana and Karnataka used bulldozer raj to target Muslim residential colonies,” he said.
Finance Minister KN Balagopal said the Congress governments in Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh are facing difficulties in paying salaries. “They have stopped PSC recruitment and retirement,” he added. Mr. Balagopal said the Oommen Chandy government, which was paying ₹600 crore as social pension to 22 lakh beneficiaries, left an 18-month backlog which the LDF government cleared. “People remember the dark days of the UDF government,” he said.
Published – March 8, 2026 8:11 PM IST
