Kerala polls: Congress-led UDF manifesto promises ‘Indira guarantees’, five ‘dream’ projects and boost for health, higher education sectors
The Hindu
UDF's Kerala manifesto unveils 'Indira guarantees', ambitious projects, and boosts for health and education ahead of 2026 elections.
The Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front’s (UDF) manifesto for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections released in Kochi on Thursday (April 2, 2026) promises five ‘Indira guarantees’ and five “dream projects” focussing on maritime, aviation sectors and a Tribal University in Wayanad.
The five guarantees, which were announced earlier by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, include free bus travel for all women in buses belonging to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for college-going girl students, increase in welfare pension to ₹3,000 per month, ₹25-lakh health insurance cover for every household under a scheme named after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for youths to start their own businesses.
Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who handed over a copy of the manifesto to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, said that a dedicated Ministry for Senior Citizens will also be created to ensure dignity, care and focussed welfare for the elderly, if the UDF is voted to power.
‘Mission Samudra’ figured top among the five ‘dream’ projects in the manifesto. It envisages integrating the possibilities offered by the State’s 600-km coastline, 44 rivers, 34 lakes, four international airports, high-range areas to elevate Kerala’s position in the world’s maritime sector.
In the aviation sector, the UDF has promised facilities for modern pilot and aviation staff training, second phase of runway construction in the Kochi airport, overall development of the Kannur airport and setting up route development and connectivity fund.
Mr. Satheesan said that his front aims to initiate about 1,000 medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) having a total turnover of around ₹100 crore. A ‘job watch tower’ will be set up to analyse the changing skill requirements in the international job market and make required changes in the State’s higher education sector. The Tribal University proposed in Wayanad aims at ensuring the educational, cultural and social development of the tribal communities, he said.
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