The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Friday officially launched its statewide political campaign, the “Puthu Yuga Yatra” (Journey for a New Era), from Kumbla in Kasaragod, signalling a major offensive in the run-up to the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The programme, led by Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan and flagged off by AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal, is designed to span roughly 30 days and cover all 14 districts of the state before culminating in Thiruvananthapuram on March 7.
The UDF has emphasised that this yatra will be markedly different from traditional protest marches. According to Satheesan, criticism of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will comprise only about 25 % of engagements, with the remaining 75 % focused on constructive dialogue about Kerala’s future and on presenting “credible, expert-vetted alternatives” to address key issues such as employment, education, health care, and infrastructure development.
Satheesan declared that the yatra is not merely about opposition politics but about listening to the concerns of ordinary citizens — especially those facing economic distress or limited opportunities — and translating those into actionable proposals. He said the UDF aims to position Kerala as a global destination for education and healthcare, generate jobs, and revitalise the economy through sector-specific initiatives.
Senior UDF leaders, including P. K. Kunhalikutty, Sunny Joseph, and several MPs and MLAs, are participating in the march. The coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to secularism and has taken a pragmatic stance on alliances, with Satheesan stating that the UDF would accept support from groups like Jamaat-e-Islami in the forthcoming election, drawing both political support and controversy.
The campaign underscores the UDF’s broader strategy to challenge perceived governance failures by the LDF and rally public support with a blend of policy proposals and grassroots engagement.
News as reported
