CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan and LDF leaders officially released the LDF manifesto for the upcoming local body elections at the AKG Center in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. | Photo credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) manifesto for the local body elections pledged to push forward its ongoing poverty eradication agenda through measures to eradicate absolute poverty and policies to ensure jobs, healthcare and housing for all.
LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan, CPI leader Sathyan Mokeri and leaders of various constitutional parties released the manifesto at a press conference at AKG Center here on Monday.
The manifesto clearly states that the LDF will showcase its achievements in lifting 64,006 families out of extreme poverty, construction of 4.71 lakh crore houses under the LIFE project and infrastructure projects implemented with the help of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) in the campaign. The LDF promises continued support to families freed from extreme poverty. A similar micro-planning approach will be used to eradicate absolute poverty. Mr. Govindan said that the next phase of the project will also focus more on Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families considering their general economic and social backwardness.
Similarly, the queue also promises houses for deserving families who have been left out of the list of LIFE beneficiaries so far. In health, the number of primary health centers converted to family health centers with twice-daily outpatient facilities will increase from the current 80% to 100%. Steps will be taken to reduce drug and alcohol consumption.
The manifesto promises jobs for 20,000 women over the next five years to increase the low participation rate of women in paid positions compared to men. According to the manifesto, more than 80,000 women have been provided employment under the Vijnana Keralam scheme implemented by Kudumbashree. The goal of the LDF is to reduce the unemployment rate in the state to half the national average. The Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme will be extended to more urban areas.
All bedridden patients will be registered on the National Health Mission’s digital network and will be provided with regular check-ups, drug supplies and palliative services. Currently, two million bedridden patients are registered in the system. A “healthy ageing” policy will be implemented for the elderly, in which they will be included in social activities and will be provided with free medicines for civilization diseases. Rehabilitation centers for adults with various disabilities will be established in all cities and blocks.
Projects ensuring 100% management of medical waste, scientific composting of biodegradable waste, collection of construction waste and cleaning of septic tanks will be implemented. Steps will be taken for local economic development with projects in agriculture, fisheries, dairying and animal husbandry. Local body-level projects will be implemented to resolve human-animal conflicts.
Mini Industrial Parks will be set up under each local authority to shift profits under the SME Support Scheme. More programs will be introduced to support entrepreneurship at the local level. Cultural corridors like Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram will expand to more regions. Gender budgeting will be further strengthened.
Projects to address climate change will be formulated within each local authority. A local heat action plan will be prepared to address rising temperatures.
The manifesto accuses the Congress of failing to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has consolidated its power through communal polarization and total control of all democratic institutions.
Published – 17 Nov 2025 20:03 IST
