People will assess governance failure, corruption and favour UDF: KPCC chief

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Peravur MLA Sunny Joseph said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will take up the Sabarimala gold theft case and allegations of irregularities linked to Global Ayyappa Sangamam central election issues in the upcoming Assembly elections. He accused the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) of protecting the accused and undermining confidence in the administration.

In an interview HinduMr. Joseph alleged that despite the court-monitored investigation into the Sabarimala theft, the accused was released on bail without even a provisional charge sheet being filed. “This is not just a theft; it involves temple property and public faith. The Supreme Court has observed that even deities are unsafe in Kerala,” he said, adding that the Congress will mobilize public opinion on the issue and hold protests. He also alleged financial irregularities in the government-sponsored Global Ayyappa Sangamam event and said such controversies would be highlighted before voters along with what he called selective targeting of Congress leaders.

Dismissing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s accusation that the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharatiya Janata Party were acting as the “B team”, Mr Joseph said the people would not believe the claim. Referring to political developments in places like Palakkad, he claimed that the CPI(M) has a tacit understanding with the BJP and said, “The fight against the BJP at the national level is led by the Congress under Rahul Gandhi. The action of the BJP against Rahul Gandhi and other leaders shows who their real rivals are.”

The KPCC chief said UDF’s decision to support leaders who quit CPI(M), including G. Sudhakaran, Aisha Potty, TK Govindan and V. Kunhikrishnan, will strengthen the coalition. “These are mass leaders with strong grassroots support. Their entry reflects the growing opposition within the CPI(M) to its functioning,” he said.

Ignoring concerns of internal dissent within the Congress over giving seats to former CPI(M) leaders in the election, Mr. Joseph said minor issues at the local level would be resolved through dialogue. “The party is united and determined to ensure their victory,” he added. He also said that the uncertainty around senior Congress leader K. Sudhakaran has been resolved with him actively campaigning and supporting candidates in his constituencies.

Mr. Joseph highlighted the development performance in Peravur over the last 15 years, stating that administrative restructuring and infrastructure expansion were among its most significant achievements. He will contest against Left Democratic Front’s KK Shailaja in the constituency. He said the formation of Iritty taluk was a landmark intervention. “Earlier, the district was part of Thalassery taluk with 48 villages and a population of around 10 lakh, creating serious administrative tension. As chairman of the Taluk Formation Commission, I raised the inequality in the Assembly and helped facilitate the formation of new taluks after consulting with MLAs,” he said, relying on former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s support.

He highlighted the renovation of Thalassery-Mysore road and reconstruction of 17 bridges between Thalassery and Kootupuzha under the Kerala State Transport project. He said the development of the Hill Highway and the upgrading of schools to higher secondary level had improved access to education.

Mr. Joseph also pointed out the incomplete memorial project for volleyball legend Jimmy George, stating that the project stalled under the LDF government even though the budget was announced and work was initiated during the UDF’s tenure. He said many panchayats, including Azhankunnu, Aralam, Kottiyoor and Kelakam, were severely affected by the 2018 Kerala floods and the UDF had taken compensation, road restoration and rehabilitation measures. He said that under the Rebuilding Kerala initiative, a 25 km road has been developed through Azhankunnu to improve connectivity and disaster resilience.

Mr. Joseph also took credit for the upgrading of Iritty to municipality status, strengthening of health infrastructure and the establishment of an 11 KV substation in Kelakam, facilitated by land donation from a local trust. He said bifurcation of Iritty police station and establishment of Muzhankunnu police station helped resolve law and order problems in a wide jurisdiction.

Mr. Joseph identified human-wildlife conflict as one of the most pressing problems in forest fringe areas such as Aralam and Kelakam. He said that he had raised the issue in the Parliament many times and made an adjournment motion, but discussions were not allowed. “Despite repeated interventions in the Parliament, including adjournment motions, the issue has not been seriously discussed. The funds allocated are insufficient and even central aid is not being used, it is not being used adequately,” he alleged.

He said ₹13 crore allocated in 2013 helped build elephant walls but subsequent efforts were inadequate. He pointed out that the cost of the Aralam elephant wall project rose from ₹20 crore to over ₹50 crore before completion, leaving tribal communities vulnerable. He added that the state has failed to effectively monitor the upcoming amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act or raise the issue with the Centre. “If the government was serious, it could have approached the court to take up this issue forcefully with the Prime Minister,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the UDF’s prospects, Mr. Joseph said the coalition’s improved performance in local body elections showed strong anti-incumbency sentiment. UDF has expanded its presence in Corporates and local institutions. After coming to power in a single Company, the UDF now runs four Companies, he said, adding that there is visible enthusiasm among the workers and a clear mood for change.

He said that the decision on the possibility of Kerala Congress (M) returning to UDF lies with the party leadership, but noted that KC(M) has suffered an electoral setback in districts like Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta. “The people of Kerala will take stock of governance failure, allegations of corruption and stagnation in development. We are confident they will give a decisive mandate in favor of UDF,” he added.

It was published – 23 March 2026 21:20 IST