Date:04/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/04/stories/2007010423280100.htm

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UDF to launch series of agitation

Special Correspondent

LIGHTER MOMENT: A UDF meeting in progress in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. — Photo: S. Mahinsha

Thiruvananthapuram : The United Democratic Front (UDF) has decided to launch a series of agitations, beginning January 16, highlighting the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government's failure to tackle price rise, agriculture crisis and the deteriorating law and order situation.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan said that on January 16, the State leaders and office-bearers of all UDF constituents, MLAs and MPs would stage a dharna from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the Secretariat in protest against the LDF Government's failure to tackle the three main issues affecting the people of Kerala.

The UDF also convened a meeting of UDF leaders in the cooperative sector and members of the director boards of various cooperative bodies to discuss a strategy to confront the State Government's move to capture power in cooperative bodies. The meeting, a direct outcome of the Pariyaram Medical College takeover, would be held in Ernakulam. Mr. Thankachan said the recent Government decision exposed the attempts of the CPI(M)-LDF to capture administration of the cooperative bodies by flouting all democratic norms. The future course of action in the cooperative sector would be worked out at the meeting.

On January 31 and February 1, the UDF workers in seven Assembly constituencies would take out two "padayatras" — one from Chenganoor to Kottarakara and the other from Chadayamangalam to Kottarakara — in protest against the failure of the State Government to complete the road development work under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).

Mr. Thankachan said the decision of the contracting company to abandon work and the failure of the Government to commission work had affected the people taking the M.C. Road.

The road had become unusable and the Government was indifferent to the hardship of the people. On February 1, the UDF leaders would attend a public meeting at Kottarakara. Mr. Thankachan said the UDF would hold district conventions in February, before finalising stronger agitation modes.

With regard to the SNC Lavalin issue, the UDF convener said the CPI(M) was afraid to face a CBI probe. If its senior leaders were not involved in the corrupt deal, it should have welcomed a CBI probe. Instead, it was bending backwards to scuttle the CBI probe.