Congress will regain Kerala : Antony

Kochi, Nov 26 (UNI) Defence Minister and senior Congress leader A K Antony today said ''the next Parliamentary elections would be the beginning of comeback for the Congess-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala.'' Addressing party workers after visiting the reception office of the forthcoming three-day party state conference here, Mr Antony said the UDF should fair well in the next general elections if the UPA had to form the next Government at the Centre.

Last time, the political climate was different as the Left parties had extended their support at the Centre but now a landslide victory was on the offing as expected by the party central leadership, he said.

''With the success in the general elections we should start to regain Kerala,'' he said.

Mr Antony said as the Election Commission's code of conduct was strict, political parties with strong ogranisational strength would have an advantage in the elections.

He also noted that the Centre had been extending all possible help for Kerala's development, and UDF and the LDF should work together on development matters for the State.

''Earlier there was a criticism that the Centre was ignoring the state's interests, but under the present UPA Government, Kerala got numerous development projects, which would augur well for the future,'' he said.

Mr Antony said the coming party state conference from December 14 to 16 would be addressed by Ms Gandhi.

Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Oommen Chandy and UDF convener P P Thankachan were also present on the occasion.

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