UDF confident of winning 100+ seats in Kerala polls: VD Satheesan

UDF leader VD Satheesan is confident of winning over 100 seats in the Kerala assembly elections. The party unveiled a detailed manifesto with promises like the NYAY scheme, a Rs 3,000 welfare pension, and various development projects.

Congress leader VD Satheesan on Thursday expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will win more than 100 seats in the Kerala assembly elections. He also highlighted the party's detailed manifesto, district-specific projects, and development plans.

Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, "Team UDF will come back with more than 100 seats... The five guarantees announced by Rahul ji are already included in our manifesto. Additionally, we have declared 27 aviation projects, coastal shipping, social security measures, tribal university, and schemes for jobs. We have done detailed research on all these subjects."

"There are many district-specific projects. The Congress and UDF have credibility among the people here. We have taken this stand because we have been exposing the govt. We have concrete projects, not just declarations," he said.

Elections for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with the counting of votes on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

UDF Unveils Manifesto with Key Promises

Earlier in the day, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) unveiled its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in exactly a week. Key promises include free bus travel for women across the state, an increase of welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 monthly. College-going girl students will receive Rs 1,000 per month and families will get a Rs 25 lakh insurance scheme.

Financial Aid and Social Security

The 2026 UDF manifesto includes a range of promises aimed at welfare, development, and employment. Under the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) Scheme, the party pledged to provide Rs 6,000 per month to the poorest families below the poverty line. Welfare pensions are set to increase in stages to Rs 3,000.

Support for Farmers and Housing for All

Farmers are also a focus, with support prices for rubber and paddy proposed at Rs 250 and Rs 35 per kilogram. On housing, the UDF promised to ensure homes for all eligible individuals by addressing defects in the 'Life Mission' project, aiming for a homeless-free Kerala.

Healthcare and Education Reforms

In healthcare, the manifesto has reforms to make the Karunya Insurance scheme more efficient and the establishment of dialysis centres in all Panchayats. For education, UDF plans to set up international standard learning facilities in higher education through collaborations with foreign universities.

Employment and Community Welfare

Employment initiatives include launching Skill Development programs to provide jobs to five lakh youth within five years. Consumer protection measures will target rising prices of essential goods. For the fishing community, sea relief and housing projects are set to be restarted. Women's empowerment is also emphasised, with promises to expand self-employment loans through Kudumbashree and implement stricter laws for women's safety. Additionally, monthly free kits will be provided to all yellow cardholders (AAY).

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