A political controversy has arisen in Kerala following the state government’s release of front-page ads in various leading newspapers. These ads highlighted the alleged improvements made by the LDF government in sectors that were reportedly struggling during the previous UDF regime. The advertisements, issued by the state’s Information and Public Relations Department, compared the situation before 2016 with the developments under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership.
The front-page ads showcased newspaper headlines from the UDF era, focusing on issues like power shortages, challenges faced by the state-run Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), delays in welfare pension payments, and obstacles in National Highway development. On the inside pages, the ads emphasized the progress made under the LDF administration. They claimed that the state has seen fewer power cuts, welfare pensions are now paid promptly, National Highway projects are nearing completion, and the financial status of KSRTC has improved.
However, the campaign has faced criticism from the opposition Congress, accusing the government of misusing public funds for political propaganda. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan condemned the move, stating that using public funds to discredit a previous government is unacceptable. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal alleged that the ads disseminated misleading information and violated established norms by using public money for such purposes.
Former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also joined the criticism, accusing the government of wasting taxpayers’ money through what he called an abuse of power. Chennithala claimed that the Information and Public Relations Department is now operating from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) headquarters in the state capital. The controversy unfolds amidst escalating political activities in Kerala ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, with both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF engaging in a war of words over governance and development claims.
