Alappuzha (Kerala)

Congress leader and Haripad assembly candidate Ramesh Chennithala exuded confidence that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will return to power in the upcoming Keralam Assembly elections.

Speaking in an interview with ANI, Chennithala said that with elections just days away, Congress' prospects look strong. He expressed confidence that the UDF will form the government, saying people are unhappy with the past ten years and support a change.

"Only a few days are left. Congress' prospects look very promising. The Congress-led UDF will form the government. People are with us... Nothing significant has happened in the last ten years. Kerala has regressed. People are on our side. The government will be formed under Congress leadership with a majority," he said.

Speaking on the UDF manifesto, he said the UDF manifesto is the best, offering Indira guarantees like ₹2,000 pension, ₹5 lakh loans for youth, free KSRTC travel for women, ₹1,000 for college girls, a ministry for senior citizens, and health insurance, adding that people trust it.

"Every political party releases its manifesto. Ours is the best. We have offered Indira guarantees like ₹2,000 pension, ₹5 lakh interest-free loan to the youth, free travel for women in KSRTC buses, and ₹1,000 monthly for college-going girls. We will also form a separate ministry for senior citizens. There is a provision for health insurance as well. People trust our manifesto," Chennithala said.

He further criticised the current LDF government, saying, "Nothing happened in the last ten years under the current government. People are suffering and unhappy. They will favour us after seeing the government's performance over the last ten years. Our positive agenda will also gain trust, leading to our government's formation."

Responding to questions on the LDF projecting Pinarayi Vijayan as a poster boy, Chennithala said, "Pinarayi Vijayan is the Chief Minister, so they will project him. They lack other leaders. Our case is not like that. There are many capable people. Everyone's face is among the people. The people will choose who will be the best chief minister."

"There is no infighting in Congress," he added.

When asked about personal preferences between Trivandrum and Delhi or aspirations to become Chief Minister, Chennithala said, "I like Delhi and Trivandrum both. I will follow what party leadership decides. The party will decide. I have a strong association with the Sonia Gandhi-Nehru family for 50 years; I will follow what they decide."

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Polling 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.

The incumbent CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front aims to retain power in the 140-member assembly.