Vote for UDF's development agenda: Sonia

Kottayam, Apr 18 (UNI) Outlining the development works of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today appealed to the people of the state to vote for the UDF's development agenda and to defeat the political parties that only believed in a negative agenda.

Addressing her first election rally in the state, she said that only the UDF had a positive and constructive agenda, which stood for the conducive growth of all sectors in the state.

Without mentioning any political party, she asked the people to think of the ''work done by the UDF government'' vis-a-vis the attitude of other political parties to its development agenda.

''Those political parties that oppose us believe in a negative agenda. They are only having a policy of confrontation. It is only the UDF that has a positive, constructive agenda,'' she said.

Projecting the achievements of the UDF government, she said the Ommen Chandy government was able to attract more investments into the state, introduce new schemes like the Health insurance for the poor and for farmers and traditional workers. The UDF's education policy had helped many students to study in professional colleges in the state, she added.

In the plantation sector, Ms Sonia Gandhi noted that the market prices for coconut and rubber had risen during the UDF regime.

Kerala was a progressing state and it had a special place in the country, she said and added ''but it has to be taken further''.

''Only the UDF can assure a better future for every citizen of Kerala, she said and appealed to the people to vote for the UDF for prosperity of all citizens of the state.

Earlier, she was received at the Kochi International airport by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Congress state president Ramesh Chennithala and others.

Ms Sonia Gandhi would be addressing public meetings at Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Neyyattinkara before leaving for New Delhi tonight.

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