UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra: V.D. Satheesan flags Kerala’s financial crisis and promises vision for State’s future

UDF's Puthuyuga Yatra promises a vision for Kerala's future amid economic crisis, addressing governance failures and community concerns.

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has said the State has slipped into a severe financial crisis, forcing large numbers of youths to migrate, and warned that if the present situation continues, Kerala could “turn into an old-age home within five years.”

Speaking to reporters in Kasaragod ahead of UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra on Friday (February 6, 2026), which is set to begin from Kumbala, Mr. Satheesan launched a sharp attack on the State government, stating that Kerala had never witnessed such deep economic distress in the past. He alleged that the government was “surviving on massive borrowings”, the health sector was “on a ventilator” and agriculture was in “a state of collapse.”

He said the 30-day yatra would conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on March 7, with about 75% of the journey dedicated to discussion on “what the future of Kerala” should look like. “Where ever the present government has failed, the UDF has alternative plans,” he said, adding that the yatra would offer “a clear vision of future Kerala” before the people.

“While maladministration and governance failures will be strongly criticised, the journey will be different from conventional protest marches and will include dream-like declarations never seen before,” he said, adding that visual documents and exhibitions would also be part of the campaign.

Reiterating the UDF’s “commitment to secularism”, Mr. Satheesan said there would be no compromise on this and that “communalism would be firmly opposed.”

He said the Sabarimala gold issue would be “a major topic of discussion”, saying that there were public concerns over “attempts to close the Sabarimala gold theft case without evidence.” He claimed that the investigation team had not even collected basic material evidence and warned that accused persons released on bail could “destroy” evidence, raising serious concerns about the probe.