Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has come down heavily on the Kerala government’s newly announced welfare package, calling it a “pre-poll gimmick” and an “election fraud.” Speaking in Idukki, the veteran leader accused the ruling Left government of trying to woo voters with flashy promises at the cost of the state’s financial health. According to Chennithala, the package has nothing to do with genuine welfare and everything to do with the upcoming elections.
“Burden on the Next Government,” Says Chennithala
He alleged that the government was knowingly announcing schemes it wouldn’t have to implement, transferring the economic burden to whoever comes next. “They’ve already increased taxes, squeezed the public, and now, right before the polls, they suddenly remember welfare. This is not compassion — this is calculation,” Chennithala said. He also hit out at the Chief Minister, claiming that if the government truly cared about the people, these benefits would have been introduced long ago, not just when votes are on the line.
Opposition Calls It a Vote-Buying Move
The Congress and other opposition parties have joined the criticism, calling the welfare package a desperate attempt to distract people from governance failures. With the state’s finances already under stress, critics argue that such promises are unsustainable and misleading. As Kerala inches closer to elections, Chennithala’s remarks have further sharpened the political divide — setting the stage for another round of heated campaign battles over welfare, populism, and accountability.
