Congress leader VD Satheesan expressed confidence on Thursday that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will secure more than 100 seats in the upcoming Keralam assembly elections.
He emphasised the party’s detailed manifesto, district-specific projects, and development plans.
Speaking to ANI, Satheesan stated, “Team UDF will come back with more than 100 seats… The five guarantees announced by Rahul ji are already included in our manifesto. Additionally, we have declared 27 aviation projects, coastal shipping, social security measures, tribal university, and schemes for jobs. We have done detailed research on all these subjects.”
He added, “There are many district-specific projects. The Congress and UDF have credibility among the people here. We have taken this stand because we have been exposing the govt. We have concrete projects, not just declarations.”
The 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4. The current assembly’s tenure ends on May 23. Earlier on Thursday, the Congress-led UDF unveiled its manifesto for the polls.
The manifesto includes promises such as free bus travel for women throughout the state, an increase in welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 monthly, Rs 1,000 monthly payments for college-going girl students, and a Rs 25 lakh insurance scheme for families.
Under the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) Scheme, the party pledged Rs 6,000 per month to the poorest families below the poverty line, while welfare pensions will increase in stages to Rs 3,000. Farmer support prices are proposed at Rs 250 per kilogram for rubber and Rs 35 for paddy.
On housing, UDF plans to address defects in the ‘Life Mission’ project to ensure homes for all eligible individuals and aim for a Kerala free of homelessness. Healthcare reforms include enhancing the Karunya Insurance scheme and establishing dialysis centres in all Panchayats.
In education, the party plans to introduce international-standard learning facilities in higher education through collaborations with foreign universities. Employment initiatives include skill development programmes to provide jobs to 500,000 youth within five years.
Consumer protection measures will address rising prices of essential goods. For the fishing community, the manifesto pledges to restart sea relief and housing projects.
Women’s empowerment features prominently, with plans to expand self-employment loans through Kudumbashree and enforce stricter laws for women’s safety. Additionally, monthly free kits will be provided to all yellow cardholders (AAY).