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India.com
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Ahead Of 2026 Polls, What Lies Ahead Of Pinarayi Vijayan Govt In Kerala
As the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections approaches, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a massive public outreach programme to reconnect with people and address their expectations, aiming to retain power in the state. The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF is all set to contest the battle against the Congress-led UDF, banking on Vijayan's image as the leader who will continue as Chief Minister. The LDF has placed Vijayan, Kerala's first chief minister to win consecutive terms, as the face of its campaign once again with a that Vijayan's leadership and development agenda will go forward if re-elected in the state. To mark the fourth anniversary of his second term, the 79-year-old CM is touring all 14 districts of Kerala. During these visits, he will meet citizens from different communities and professions, listening to their concerns of the people and highlighting his government's achievements. With less than a year left for an election, from professionals in Thiruvananthapuram to SC/ST community members in Palakkad and cultural figures in Thrissur, Vijayan is trying to reach every section of society. The LDF is strongly pushing the narrative that Kerala has changed significantly since 2016, the year Vijayan first took over the office, calling it the era of 'Nava Kerala' (New Kerala). Major projects including the widening of national highways, the GAIL pipeline and the Edamon-Kochi power transmission line are being showcased as key achievements. The recent inauguration of the Rs 8,800-crore Vizhinjam Seaport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also highlighted by Vijayan as proof of turning Kerala's long-pending dreams into reality. Despite facing criticism in his first term over allegations like the gold smuggling case, Vijayan's second term has remained relatively controversy-free. Within the CPI(M), he continues to hold strong influence, with the party already confirming that he will lead the 2026 election campaign. As the countdown to the polls begins, the LDF is countuously working towards the development record in Vijayan's second term to meet public expectations and aim for a historic third term in office.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Captain' to ‘new Kerala architect': Pinarayi Vijayan steps up 2026 run
With Kerala headed to the Assembly elections in less than a year, the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF has started gearing up for the high-stakes battle with the Opposition Congress-led UDF, projecting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the 'architect of new Kerala'. In May 2021, Vijayan had created history as the first incumbent CM in the history of Kerala to have assumed office for a second consecutive term after leading the LDF to a resounding victory. Stepping up its 2026 poll preparations, the CPI(M), in its public outreach, has been showcasing Vijayan's image with a tagline 'Thudarum (will continue)'. On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of his government 2.0, which was marked on Tuesday, Vijayan, 79, has been touring all 14 districts of the state, meeting people from different walks of life. In his interactions with them, he has been highlighting his government's various schemes and initiatives while responding to their queries and suggestions. Last Saturday, Vijayan held a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram with several professionals from different sectors to hear their views on development. The CPI(M) stalwart met prominent persons from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities on Sunday in Palakkad. On Monday, Vijayan had a meeting with leading faces from various cultural fields in Thrissur. Along with these interactions, the CM has also been holding high-level regional meetings in different parts of the state, attended by Cabinet ministers and senior officials, to review the progress of various projects. In all recent public meetings of the CPI(M) and its allies, their leaders have been making a common refrain that a 'Nava Kerala (new Kerala)' has risen during the Vijayan regime. In the 2021 Assembly polls, the CPI(M)'s campaign had projected Vijayan as 'Kerala's Captain' for steering the state during some major crises including the 2018 floods and 2020-21 Covid pandemic. The incumbent LDF returned to power in the polls smoothly, bagging 99 seats of 140 as against the UDF's 40. Now, aiming to pull off a hat-trick in the face of a resurgent Congress, the CPI(M) has flagged the development issue as its key plank, building a campaign around Kerala 'before and after 2016 (the year when the Vijayan government 1.0 was formed)' while projecting Vijayan as the leader 'who delivered many development projects reckoned as impossible over the years'. On May 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 8,800-crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala. Speaking at the function there, Vijayan called the port's commissioning 'Kerala's dream come true', saying 'what was deemed impossible once has now become a reality after decades of uncertainty'. Last week, addressing an LDF rally in Thrissur, Vijayan also played up the same theme. 'The creation of new Kerala is not a concept, it is a reality. Mega projects, which had been abandoned during the previous UDF regime, had been executed,'' he claimed, referring to projects including the National Highway widening, GAIL pipeline and the Edamon-Kochi power transmission that, he added, gained momentum after the LDF government took charge nine years ago. Although Vijayan's first stint as the CM was hit by various alleged scams including the 2020 gold smuggling case, his second tenure has not seen any major scandal so far. In the Kerala CPI(M), Vijayan is still considered by many as 'the final word' on organisational matters too. The party has made it clear that he will again spearhead the LDF's campaign in the upcoming polls. Vijayan's task is cut out as the LDF is set to face a formidable challenge from the UDF. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF bagged 18 seats out of 20 as against just one seat of the LDF, with the BJP managing to win its first-ever seat in the state. During the CPI(M)'s 24th Party Congress in Madurai last month, the party gave Vijayan an exemption from the 75-year age limit norm, naming him as a member of the Politburo as well as the Central Committee. Following his election as the new CPI(M) general secretary then, M A Baby, when asked if Vijayan would lead the party in the 2026 Kerala polls, told reporters: 'Pinarayi Vijayan now is the leader of the Left Front in Kerala. He is the Chief Minister. Vijayan naturally will lead the Left Front in terms of its political and organisational campaign. Why are you discussing with such curiosity now the question of who will be the Chief Minister in the event we retain power? When it comes, we will decide. We will make a good decision.'
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Charting the path to New Kerala: CM leads 4th anniversary celebrations in Alappuzha
Minister P Prasad inaugurated the 'Ente Keralam' Exhibition Marketing Fair at Alappuzha Beach, with minister Saji Cherian presiding. Also seen are MLAs H Salam, PP Chitharanjan, MS Arun Kumar, municipal chairperson KK Jayamma, district panchayat president KG Rajeshwari, and district collector Alex Varghese. The fourth anniversary celebrations of the Kerala state government officially commenced in Alappuzha with a district-level meeting inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan . The event took place at the Camelot Convention Centre, Pathirappally. Addressing the gathering, the chief minister emphasised that the government is making dedicated efforts to realise the vision of Nava Kerala ( New Kerala )—a progressive and inclusive future for the state. The district-level meeting was part of the government's ongoing statewide outreach to mark four years of its current term. Around 500 representatives from various sectors participated in the session, including beneficiaries of government schemes, labour representatives, youth, students, achievers from cultural and sports fields, professionals, entrepreneurs, expatriates, and community leaders. Prominent attendees included ministers Saji Cherian (fisheries and culture), KB Ganesh Kumar (transport), MLAs PP Chitharanjan, H Salam, Daleema, Thomas K Thomas, MS Arun Kumar, U Pratibha, vice chairman of the state planning board Dr VK Ramachandran, district panchayat president KG Rajeshwari, district collector Alex Varghese, special officer Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, ADM Asha C Abraham, and district information officer KS Sumesan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Trend Lets Indians Access Benefits Up to ₹2,00,00,000 India News Learn More Undo Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the district-level meeting at Camelot Convention Centre, Pathirappally, Alappuzha, as part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the Left Democratic Front government. Later in the day, minister P Prasad inaugurated the Ente Keralam (My Kerala) exhibition and trade fair at Alappuzha Beach The exhibition ran from May 6 to May 12daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The event featured approximately 200 service and commercial stalls, showcasing a wide range of services and projects from state government departments. Highlights included a food festival, themed stalls, a children's play area, seminars, a dog show, a tourism exhibition, a screening of the Ente Keralam documentary by the public relations department (PRD), and an agricultural marketing fair. Cultural performances took place every evening from 7:00 PM onwards. Entry was free to the public. eente keralam programme inauguration at alappuzha minister p prasad ആലപ്പുഴ ബീച്ചിൽ നടക്കുന്ന എൻ്റെ കേരളം പ്രദർശന വിപണന മേളയിൽ ഉണ്ടായ തിരക്ക് LDF Govt 4th year celebration chief minister pinarayi vijayan @- alappuzha- The state government invited all citizens to take part in the celebrations and witness the progress and development initiatives being carried out under the Nava Kerala vision. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State govt to hold regional review meetings to expedite development projects
T'puram: The state govt will begin its regional review meetings led by CM on Thursday. These meetings will be held for four days until May 29. The review meetings aim to make the govt's achievements more tangible to the public, ensure the timely completion of development projects and identify and resolve any obstacles in ongoing development activities in the districts, a press release said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The meetings will be held in Palakkad, , Kannur and Kottayam. They will consider issues in three categories: unresolved issues from the 2023 meetings, major development activities raised by MLAs in meetings with the CM and new development activities identified by district collectors. Additionally, projects intended for implementation in constituencies as part of the Nava Kerala Mission and rural road renovation projects will be evaluated. A total of 1,036 issues was identified, with 201 already resolved at the govt level and 124 expected to be resolved within the next six months. Each meeting, attended by ministers and department secretaries, will also assess the development activities in the respective districts, make decisions to expedite them and address any obstacles through high-level discussions. Typically, such issues require district collectors to write to department secretaries, leading to lengthy processing times. However, the regional review meetings facilitate direct communication among officials, bypassing traditional correspondence. Priority projects like extreme poverty eradication, LIFE, Ardram, public education protection, Haritha Keralam and waste-free Nava Kerala initiatives will be evaluated at the district level. Unresolved issues identified for consideration in these regional review meetings will be monitored by secretaries and resolved promptly. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The first regional meetings were held in Sept-Oct 2023, where 956 issues were identified for consideration across the state. Of these, 151 issues were discussed, decisions were made and follow-up actions were taken, the statement said. The effectiveness of the 2023 regional review meetings inspired similar meetings.
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Pinarayi Vijayan bats for third Left term, inaugurates new AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stressing the need for a third term for the Left government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that continuity in governance had helped bring significant developmental shifts across numerous sectors. He was speaking after inaugurating the new CPM state headquarters — AKG Centre — in the state capital on Wednesday. Pinarayi also pointed at the efforts towards building a new Kerala. He said the state had successfully overcome multiple crises and bring in change. 'People should ask how this transformation was made possible. Since 2016, there has been continuity. People can experience the changes firsthand. That's why they reject the misleading campaigns by the Opposition,' he said. He criticised the Centre for not extending adequate support to the state after the floods. Yet, the state overcame the crisis due to public support, he said. Pinarayi said the public health and education sectors have made remarkable progress since 2016. He said that at a time when there are attempts from various corners to stifle the Left, efforts should continue to strengthen the CPM and the Left front. Addressing the gathering, CPM general secretary M A Baby too underscored the possibility of a third term for the Left. Referring to the efforts towards Nava Kerala, he recalled how the study Congress organised by the party had earlier envisioned such a perspective. 'Presenting a vision, E M S Nampoothiripad had said that there should be attempts to build consensus on key issues concerning the state's development. Even amid political and electoral contests, efforts to reach a consensus must be made. This was partially supported by Congress leader A K Antony,' Baby said. CPM state secretary M V Govindan and several senior Left leaders were present at the inauguration of the new building. The nine-storey structure, with two underground floors, includes parking facilities for up to 60 vehicles.
