Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan says Congress has been reduced to a recruiting agency for the BJP. Opening a public meeting as part of the election campaign at Poonithura near Tripunithura on Monday, Vijayan said that UDF is still trying to stop Kerala’s progress while LDF government is ensuring the overall development of the state.
After the start of the election campaign in Thrikkakara, two prominent Congress leaders such as former Punjab CPC leader Sunil Jakhar and Gujarat Congress President Hardik Patel joined the BJP, he said. “The Congress is being destroyed and such a party is leading the UDF in Kerala. So, UDF voters are worried about the fate of the front,” Vijayan said.

“Kerala has come a long way from the past. The state receives many national and international honors. All in Kerala are happy about this. However, some UDF leaders are unable to deal with it. They are always thinking how the development of the state can be stopped,” the CM said, adding that the state would not accept the negative attitude of the UDF.
The CM explained the development projects like Metro, K-Rail and Water Metro that converge in Kakkanad and how it will benefit the residents and those from other parts of the state working in Kakkanad. The proposed SilverLine has a station at Edachira in Kakkanad. Construction of the Water Metro project boats and piers is underway. Over the next few years, 1.5 crore square feet of IT space will be built across the state and an investment of Rs 3,000 is expected in the IT sector in Kochi. Many IT giants around the world will soon set foot in Kochi. The number of companies in Infopark has increased from 125 to 412 in a few years. IT jobs also rose thereafter to hit 55,000 from 18,220 previously, the CM said. In the second phase of Infopark, about 8,000 square meters of space will be completed and is expected to generate about 90,000 jobs, he added.
The state government has already started land acquisition and preliminary works for the Kakkanad Extension of Kochi Metro. Once the Union government gives the final green light, other works will also be launched, Vijayan said. Trials along the Petta-SN Junction section of the subway have begun and trains will begin operating in two to three months, he said.
“Consecutive incidents of crises like Ockhi, Nipah, Floods and Covid have created problems for the state. The Union Government has not provided any help. On the contrary, it has stopped some countries that were willing to offer aid to flood-hit Kerala.Yet the state government has managed to address all these issues,” the CM said.
He told Thrikkakara that the fight is between those who support development and those who oppose it. “Voters have no doubts about who should represent this constituency. Naturally, whoever supports the development of the state should represent the constituency. No one doubts the effectiveness and potential of Dr. Jo Joseph,” he said.