Title - Antony’s remarks point to stagnant growth under UDF rule: CPI(M)

The State Secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday said the statements by Union Defence Minister A K Antony had vindicated the fact that the State’s development had stagnated under the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s rule.In a statement here, the State secretariat said Mr. Antony’s statement attested to the fact that the crisis in the industrial and agriculture sectors and the failure of the State to move forward an inch in infrastructure development was a fact and not just the Opposition’s allegations. Mr. Antony had praised the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for the enthusiasm it showed in establishing as many as six major defence units in the State, besides mentioning that he did not have the courage to sanction more projects in the State during the last two years. He had made the statement in the presence of the Chief Minister and the Minister for Industries. His statements attested to the fact that the UDF government, which had come to power owing to his efforts, was a total failure and had lost its eligibility to continue in power, the secretariat said.Apart from Defence units, the previous LDF government had taken the initiative to establish joint ventures with Steel Authority of India Ltd, National Thermal Power Corporation, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. Similar moves for joint ventures with the Indian Railways were made, but the efforts were frustrated owing to the “vengeful attitude” of Mamata Bannerjee, who held the portfolio at that time. Out of the six Defence units, work on four had been completed. It was for the first time in 60 years that the State had got investments in a Defence unit.

The UDF government’s bankrupt policy perspectives were responsible for the failure to get more Central government investments, it said.

The UDF government had failed to launch a new project despite organising the Emerging Kerala event in grand style. It had failed to take forward several projects promoted by the LDF government, including the Vizhinjam Container Terminal, Kochi Metro, Kannur airport and Cheemeni thermal power plant, and the railway coach factory in Palakkad. Railway development had stagnated and the divisional offices were under threat of further bifurcation, while the establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology remained a dream. The UDF government had also failed to establish a single power plant, pushing the State to power cut. In addition, the Kuttanad package was a non-starter under the UDF rule, not to mention the crash in coconut prices.

The State Secretariat said the UDF propaganda that there would be a surge in development of the State if the same party ruled at the Centre and the State had now been proved to be hollow. The State had not benefitted from the presence of eight Ministers in the Union Council of Ministers. Neither the UDF government nor the Union Ministers had been able to address the harassment and neglect of Gulf passengers by Air India.