Mounting a veiled attack on the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front for pursuing "negative and confrontationist" politics, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday said a second term for the United Democratic Front was essential to carry forward the development agenda set in motion by the coalition in Kerala in the last five years.
Addressing a cluster of election campaign meetings in the southern districts going to polls in the first phase on April 22, she said the UDF alone could ensure the state's all round development and preserve social harmony intact.
Starting her whirlwind tour from Kottayam, she said only the UDF had a positive and constructive programme and that the Congress-led government had been able to ensure social harmony by following the path of consensus by taking all sections of people into confidence.
"Our political opponent in Kerala stands for a negative approach. They take one position in power and another while in opposition," she said addressing a meeting at Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Lauding the UDF government's performance, she said the most important thing was that it had been able to restore the state's financial position, which was destroyed by the LDF rule.
Addressing a meeting at Pathanamthitta, she wanted people to remain vigilant against "those indulging in violence and those trying to divide the society in the name of religion".
On the UDF government's achievements, Sonia said the state was transformed into an investment friendly one during the last five years. More job opportunities were created during the period, she said.
The UDF alone has the "modern vision" to meet challenges of the state. "It is UDF which has experience and capability and determination to maintain religious and social harmony," she added.
She said the UDF follows a policy of consensus and not that of confrontation. "It follows the path of discussion and not that of discord," she said.
Observing that the UDF government has achieved much during the last five years, she said much more has to be accomplished, especially in the traditional, industrial and agriculture sectors.
Asking the people to vote for the UDF, she said a vote for UDF means a vote for dignity, security and prosperity of the state.
On the United Progressive Alliance government, she said the Centre has taken special care to address the state's needs.
She also addressed election meetings at Kollam before arriving at Neyyatinkara. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala were also present.
