UDF to hold 'protest day' against ruling LDF on Nov 18

Kochi, Nov 14 (UNI) The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) will hold a state-wide 'protest day' on November 18 against the 'failure' of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in all areas, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said today.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the first anniversary function of the daily 'Veekshanam' here, Mr Chandy said the LDF government had failed to launch any new project during the past six months after assuming office.

This time was enough for the government to settle down and start performing, he said, charging the LDF of failing on all fronts.

''Farmers suicides are continuing, as is exploitation of women.

No new economic projects have been started by the government,'' he noted.

Reiterating his demand for a judicial enquiry into the security lapse during the Prime Minister's visit, Mr Chandy said it was not enough to just transfer two police officials. ''This is a serious issue. The Chief Secretary has said in her report that there were violations of SPG guidelines contained in the ''Blue Book''. There should be a judicial enquiry into the incident,'' he added.

On the dispute with Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar Dam height, Mr Chandy said safety of the people living downstream should be the government's first priority. Noting that the LDF Government's gesture in releasing water from Neyyar Dam had failed to pacify Tamil Nadu, he said the safety issue should be stressed at the Chief Ministers conference convened by Union Water Resources Minister on November 23.

On the Thiruvambadi Assembly by-poll, Mr Chandy said the UDF would unitedly support the IUML candidate. On the LDF's stand that it would respond to the NCP-DIC(K) merger after the election, he said in the past too, the LDF had taken the DIC(K)'s support and then ditched it.

On Smart City, Mr Chandy said the LDF Government, which earlier opposed the project as a 'real estate deal' had finally acknowledged the importance of the project for Kerala. 'I am happy that the LDF has now realised that this is not just a real estate deal to make commissions. It is important to create IT jobs in Kerala.' UNI ARC VD DS1625