Ageing Voters In State Seek Security, Dignity

Thiruvananthapuram : For 81-year-old Krishnamma, the crucial April 9 Kerala Assembly elections come down to a single, urgent question. When party workers turned up at the doorstep of his modest, tile-roofed house in the hilltop hamlet of Vithura to vote, he didn’t want to hear about manifestos or political rivalries. Instead, he looked at them and said, “When will I get my next pension?” he asked. For thousands of people like him, the election is not just about politics; it’s about survival, dignity, and the assurance of care in their twilight years.

In a state often lauded for its human development indicators, a quiet demographic shift is taking place, with Kerala’s aging population now at 16.5 percent (the highest in the country) and senior citizens forming a significant, powerful voting bloc.

The problems of older people are quite different from those of voters in other age groups; because they want consistent monthly pension payments, medical facilities at their doorstep, and means of constructive engagement to address their loneliness.

While LDF, UDF and NDA have made special promises to this segment, Kerala’s elders are weighing not only what is being offered but also who can deliver consistently and compassionately.

“I am completely dependent on monthly pension. So, whichever party comes to power, my demand is to ensure a consistent and increasing social security pension,” 70-year-old pensioned worker Suresh told PTI.

Beyond economic and medical concerns, social isolation is emerging as a silent crisis among Kerala’s elderly, especially those living alone as children migrate abroad.

Susheela, a retired government employee from Pandalam, wants a special plan to address the safety and security of parents living alone while their children work abroad.

“Security is always a concern for us. We live alone at home as both our children work in two foreign countries. What will we do if we face a medical emergency at night? This is a big concern for me too,” the 72-year-old woman told PTI.

When KSRTC retiree Mohanan Nair here asks for a dedicated area where senior citizens can spend time every day, retired bank manager Satheesh Chandran feels urgent steps need to be taken to address the social isolation faced by senior citizens.

The ruling LDF has vowed to further increase monthly benefits, highlighting the increase in social welfare pensions in recent years.

Meanwhile, UDF has accused the government of allegations of irregular payments and promised time-bound payments along with revision of pension amounts.

The NDA focused on creating a more structured social security framework, promising better integration of central schemes.

Senior CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP TN Seema said that the formulation of ‘Vayojana Nayam’ (Kerala State Elderly Policy) and establishment of the Elderly Commission were among the major achievements of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government.

“In the last 10 years, the Left government has managed to create an age-friendly atmosphere in the state through a series of interventions,” he told PTI.

He reminded that steps have been taken to popularize concepts such as senior citizens’ clubs at the grassroots level through local self-government institutions for the productive participation of the elderly.

Kerala became the first state to implement a special ‘senior budget’ along with the state budget document in January this year to address the geriatric demographic shift.

Seema said that if palliative care is widely popularized and the concept of care economy is introduced by the government in the state, senior citizens become the biggest beneficiaries.

However, senior Congress leader and former Assembly deputy speaker Palode Ravi questioned the ruling front’s claims and said senior citizens were one of the most untapped segments in society in the last 10 years.

“Senior citizens in Kerala are one of the most experienced and potential talent banks. But the lack of visionary initiatives by the Left government has turned them into a group waiting for a monthly pension of only Rs 2,000,” he told PTI.

Ravi added that if the UDF comes to power, a special system will be developed to fully utilize its capabilities and potential.

BJP general secretary S Suresh also criticized the Left government for its approach towards the elderly and accused it of not properly implementing many central schemes for the elderly.

“Kerala is one of the very few states that has not implemented Vay Vandana Yojana, the central scheme that guarantees free healthcare up to Rs five lakh to people aged 70 years and above,” he told PTI.

He alleged that the state government was not paying regular monthly pension to the elderly.

The leader added that if NDA comes to power, treatment for the elderly will be made completely free.

In its recently released election manifesto, the LDF promised various schemes for senior citizens, including strengthening retirement homes, cooperative care geriatric and palliative care centres, as well as increasing monthly pensions by up to Rs 3,000.

Meanwhile, UDF promises to set up a special department for innovative initiatives like ‘Ammavadi’ based on anganwadi model for the welfare of senior citizens and care of elderly women.