Free bus rides among five guarantees Rahul Gandhi pledges to voters in Kerala, accuses BJP being LDF’s secret partner

Bengaluru: Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday pledged to implement five poll guarantees for Kerala, including free bus travel for women in government buses, if the United Democratic Front (UDF) is voted to power in the April 9 polls.

Addressing a UDF rally in Kozhikode virtually from Delhi, Gandhi said the Congress has “walked the talk” in Karnataka and Telangana by fulfilling election promises. “These five schemes are commitments we will deliver,” he said.

The assurances include Rs 1,000 monthly aid for college-going girls and a hike in welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 a month. Gandhi also promised an annual health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh per family, to be named after late former chief minister Oommen Chandy, along with measures to boost employment in the healthcare sector.



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For youth entrepreneurship, the UDF will offer interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh, he said, adding that the plan would help revive businesses allegedly hit during the tenure of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.

Gandhi claimed unemployment among educated youth remains high, accusing the LDF of failing to deliver on job creation. The AICC leader said one out of three educated youth in Kerala was unemployed because LDF reneged on its promise of adding four million jobs a year. Those with contacts with the CM Pinarayi Vijayan, however, will get government jobs, he said.

The AICC leader also flagged the rise in drug abuse, citing an estimated 8.25 lakh users in the state, including around 75,000 students.

‘Contest between two blocs’

Positioning the election as a direct contest, Gandhi alleged a tacit understanding between the LDF and the BJP. “The BJP is the hidden partner of the LDF,” he said.


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The AICC leader also questioned the functioning of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging selective targeting by the agency. Referring to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Gandhi asked why cases against him were not progressing while Opposition leaders faced frequent scrutiny.

“I have 40 cases against me and have been interrogated repeatedly. Why is there no similar action against the Kerala CM?” Gandhi said.