Salaries, pensions, and promises: How Kerala’s fiscal mess is looming over the ballot box

₹3.3 trillion and more will come if LDF returns to power,” he said. As many as 15 lakh jobs have been created so far and more will be created if the policies continue, he added.Apart from need for change, LDF is also battling perception issues. UDF has been accusing LDF of having a tacit understanding with the BJP.

If this accusation sticks, LDF could lose minority votes that enabled it to retain power comfortably in 2021.“LDF has done a lot to protect the interest of minorities, we are confident that we will get their support,” said Rajeeve.Across most constituencies in south Kerala, LDF has activated its disciplined cadre to reach out to the people and ensure a historic third term.In contrast, an air of confidence pervades V.D. Satheesan’s office in Paravur, a 30-minute drive from Kochi. The Congress leader is the head of the UDF and is seeking his sixth term from the Paravur constituency which is on the banks of the Periyar river.

He has spearheaded UDF’s recent electoral successes.In 2024, UDF bagged 16 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats and more recently, in the local body polls last year, UDF bagged the maximum seats across the state. “We hope to get more than 100 seats and win comfortably,” he told Mint while reviewing a few promotional videos from his campaign team. “I have travelled across the state twice and I can tell you there is huge anti-incumbency.”The government employees have not been paid their dues and arrears alone exceed ₹1 trillion, he claimed.

Various services including healthcare, have declined for lack of funding. Farmers have not been paid the minimum statutory price and there has been no procurement of rice, rubber or coconut. “People are suffering and they have no intention of voting LDF back to