UDF to face heat over host of issues in assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, June 23: The budget session of the Kerala assembly beginning on Friday, Jun 22 is expected to be stormy with the CPI(M)-led LDF opposition turning the heat on the newly installed Congress-led UDF Government headed by Oommen Chandy over a host of issues.

The session is to get underway with Governor R S Gavai's customary address to the house laying down the roadmap for the government's performance for the year ahead.

The address is expected to unveil a string of developmental projects and welfare schemes to be carried out on a fast-paced manner by the ministry.

Just short of four seats compared to the ruling side in the 140-member house, the LDF has made it amply clear that it is not going to show any grace-period mercy to the Chandy Government in exposing its lapses and policy aberrations.

According to LDF circles,unrest in higher education sector arising from problems in admission to self-financing colleges, surfacing of fraudulent financial rackets like money-chain and sexual harrassment cases reported from parts of the state would provide ammunition to its attack on the government.

The UDF leaders,however, exuded confidence that ruling side would expose the LDF's aggressive posture as springing from its ''desperation'' to retain power.

Finance Minister K M Mani will present the maiden budget of the government on July 8, which will invalidate the budget presented by the previous LDF Government in March last, shortly before the assembly polls were declared.

PTI