‘Team UDF is team Kerala, people are ready for change’: Rahul Gandhi’s speech before Kerala polls

New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi Frudy promoted the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) as a unified, people-centric alliance ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, saying the alliance represented both experience and new leadership rooted in local realities.“Each candidate reflects the voice, aspirations and trust of the people kerala. This is a collective of experienced leaders and young change-makers – a strong team of men and women who understand the complexities of the constituencies they represent,” Rahul said in a post on X.

“For me, Kerala is my home and the people of Kerala are my family. I am so grateful for everything they have taught me and for the love and warmth they have embraced me – I will always be your partner,” it added.Rahul saw the election as a moment of political change, saying: “The message from Kerala is clear – the people are ready for change and they seek a government that listens, understands and is honest.”He also expressed confidence in the prospects of UDF and said, “Together with the incoming UDF government, I will make every effort to help this beautiful state build a better future. Kerala will win. UDF will lead.”Kerala will vote for a new 140-member parliament on April 9, with results scheduled to be announced on May 4. The contest has largely turned into a three-way battle between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Congress-led UDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayanis seeking a rare third term in office on the strength of his governance record over the past decade. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is trying to regain ground after losing its lone seat in Nemom in 2021.While the outgoing parliament was dominated by the left, with 99 seats to the United Democratic Forces’ 41, the opposition hopes that changing political tides and a localized anti-incumbency movement will close the gap. In the last election, the margin of victory in nearly 35 constituencies was less than 10,000 votes, making them key battlegrounds in this election.