Kochi: The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday released its manifesto for the Kerala assembly elections, building it around five commitments announced by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi last month and a series of welfare schemes.
The five promises, branded the “Indira guarantees”, cover free bus rides for women; a Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for female college students; a health insurance scheme in the name of former chief minister Oommen Chandy, providing coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh per family; interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for youth to start businesses; and an increase in welfare pension to Rs 3,000.
Beyond the five-point core, the manifesto pledges to raise ASHA workers’ daily wages, and to revise remuneration for anganwadi workers and school cooks. Key welfare commitments include free dialysis for below-poverty-line (BPL) families, a K R Narayanan scholarship for meritorious students to pursue education in India and abroad, revamping of welfare fund boards with pending arrears cleared, and the creation of wedding auditoriums for those who wish to hold ceremonies at low cost.
To reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure, the UDF proposes SHE hospitals for women and children, dedicated health centres in tribal and coastal areas, and no-bill hospitals.
The manifesto also promises five lakh houses in five years, a separate agriculture budget, and measures to mitigate man-animal conflict. A fisheries sub-plan for coastal communities and a kerosene subsidy are also proposed, along with fuel subsidies for fishing boats, Kerala Roadways buses, autorickshaws and owner-operated taxis.
Unveiling the manifesto, Kerala’s Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, “Unlike any opposition, we conducted extensive research and conclaves. We prepared documents on the sectors where the existing government failed, and these are part of this manifesto.” Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was also present at the event.
Smt. @priyankagandhi explains UDF's 5 Indira guarantees for Keralam.
Keralam will win, UDF will lead.#UDF4Keralam #UDFManifesto #KeralamWithCongress pic.twitter.com/VmS5tanSu6
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) April 2, 2026
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Jobs, infrastructure and campus reform
On economic development, the manifesto proposes Mission Samudra — an initiative to develop Kerala’s 600-km coastline and 44 rivers into a global maritime hub by integrating ports and inland water transportation.
High-speed railway corridors are promised in financially viable partnerships with the central government.
A scheme to establish 10,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), offering entrepreneurs technical, management, and financial support, features alongside a proposed Global Job Watch Square—a body of sector experts tasked with tracking shifts in the job market and recommending changes to the state’s curriculum, with skill training for unemployed adults also envisaged.
On higher education, the manifesto promises a ‘Semester in Kerala’ project to attract global students to the state, the Siddharthan Anti-Ragging Student Welfare Act, and measures to curb the politicisation of campuses. An academic syndicate is proposed as an executive body to sharpen institutional focus on education and research. A separate tribal university is also proposed.
The manifesto additionally commits to setting up Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and declaring the state drug-free by targeting the sources of supply.
The 140-Assembly will go to polls on 9 April. Votes will be counted on 4 May.
(Edited by Prerna Madan)
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