Thiruvananthapuram

D K Shivakumar on Monday criticised the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, alleging a lack of visible development even in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s home district.

Addressing a press conference, Shivakumar questioned the government’s performance, saying he found little evidence of growth in sectors such as tourism and investment during his interactions with local workers in Kannur. He argued that the condition of the chief minister’s own district reflected broader governance concerns across the state.

He further claimed that the absence of significant infrastructure expansion and investment pointed to an overall slowdown in development, as Kerala prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Separately, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi highlighted the issue of unemployment among educated youth in the state. Speaking at a public gathering in Peravoor, she said many qualified young people are unable to find suitable jobs within Kerala and are often compelled to seek employment outside.

She noted that despite families investing heavily in education, job opportunities within the state remain limited, leading to migration in search of better prospects.

Kerala is set to go to the polls on April 9 for its 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, with counting scheduled for May 4, as per the Election Commission of India. The current Assembly’s tenure ends on May 23.

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The state has been governed by the Left Democratic Front for the past decade. In the 2021 elections, the alliance retained power with a decisive mandate, marking the first time in decades that an incumbent government was re-elected in Kerala.