Rahul Gandhi Unveils Welfare, Jobs, Health Guarantees at UDF Event in Thiruvananthapuram

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday announced a set of five welfare “guarantees” for Kerala, promising expanded social protection and employment opportunities if the United Democratic Front (UDF) returns to power in the state. The announcement was made during the valedictory function of a statewide yatra led by Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V. D. Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram.

Addressing the gathering, Gandhi said the guarantees are aimed at strengthening economic security for ordinary families while tackling unemployment among young people. Among the key proposals is free travel for women on buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 for college-going female students, and an increase in welfare pensions to ₹3,000 per month.

He also announced a comprehensive health insurance scheme providing coverage of up to ₹25 lakh for every household in the state. The scheme, he said, would be named after former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. In addition, Gandhi proposed a ₹5 lakh loan facility to help young entrepreneurs start businesses and promised the creation of a dedicated ministry for senior citizens.

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The Congress leader said that if elected, a UDF government would focus strongly on job creation by supporting small and medium enterprises and by creating conditions that would encourage young Keralites working abroad to return and build their careers in the state. According to him, these initiatives would help boost economic growth while addressing youth unemployment.

Gandhi also launched a political attack on the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging tacit coordination between the Left and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala. He questioned why central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation had acted against several opposition leaders but not against the Kerala chief minister despite allegations made against him.

Speaking emotionally about his connection with the state, Gandhi said Kerala had supported him during difficult times. Calling for unity within the UDF, he urged leaders of the alliance to work collectively to bring about political change in the state. “In the worst times, Kerala was not just my friend but also my protector,” he said, adding that he would always remain a “soldier of the people of Kerala.”

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