LDF yatra to counter BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling LDF on Thursday decided to organise two yatras against BJP-RSS propaganda and anti-people policies of Narendra Modi government from October 21 to November 3. The decision was taken at the LDF state committee meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday.  CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will lead the jatha from Kasargod which will conclude in Thrissur and the Thiruvananthapuram jatha to be led by CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran will culminate at Ernakulam.  These jathas are aimed at countering the BJP janaraksha yatra led by Kummanam Rajashekharan and the nationwide campaign unleashed by Sangh Parivar against CPM for alleged political killings in the state.

It may be recalled that LDF had to postpone the two jathas which were to take place from October 3 following Vengara bypoll.   LDF leadership has accused the Centre of heaping miseries on the people through its neo liberal policies. The farm sector is in deep crisis with farmers being forced to commit suicide. Many of the public sector units which were self-sufficient and running in profit, are being selectively sold off to the private parties, it said.

Unemployment is growing at an alarming rate despite the Prime Minister's promise to create 6 crore jobs annually. LDF leaders said another major threat being faced by the country was growing intolerance and communal polarisation. The democratic values and ideals which the country has been steadfastly holding on to are being selectively targeted. The latest example of intolerance was the cold-blooded murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru. LDF leaders pointed out that the multi-cultural, pluralist ethos of the nation and the federal structure were being systematically destroyed.

The LDF government which has opposed these policies of the Centre and projected a peoples alternative, has come under attack, and is also facing the threat of destabilisation, they added. The LDF is of the opinion that despite the grim scenario in the country, the Congress seemed to be adopting a soft policy towards the Centre. In Kerala, the UDF was encouraging the attacks against the government.