NEW DELHI: As Kerala heads into the 2026 assembly elections, the contest is no longer just about ideology or leadership, it is increasingly a battle of promises. From welfare payouts and free services to large-scale infrastructure and economic transformation plans, all three major fronts – the LDF, UDF and BJP-led NDA – have unveiled expansive manifestos aimed at wooing a politically aware and welfare-conscious electorate.The scale and scope of commitments underline a larger shift in Kerala’s electoral politics. Welfare is no longer a differentiator; it is the baseline. What sets parties apart is the scale, delivery mechanism, and credibility of execution. In a state known for high human development indicators and strong public participation, voters are now weighing not just promises, but sustainability and governance capacity.All three alliances have converged on key themes, social security – employment, healthcare, and infrastructure – while competing to outdo each other in quantum and coverage. The result is a dense, high-stakes policy contest where every segment of society, from youth and women to farmers and senior citizens, has been targeted with tailored offerings.

LDF: The incumbent’s bet – delivery, not disruption

The ruling LDF, led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has framed its manifesto as a continuation of its governance model, combining welfare expansion with long-term economic growth.At the core is a promise to eliminate absolute poverty, with a targeted plan to uplift around five lakh families. Welfare pensions are proposed to be increased to Rs 3,000 per month, alongside expanded care systems for the elderly and bedridden.

The LDF has placed strong emphasis on employment and skills, promising campus placements, expanded training programmes, and a “Back to Campus” initiative to bridge employability gaps. Women’s participation in the workforce is targeted to reach 50%, backed by support systems such as childcare, safe mobility, and skill development.On the economic front, the Left has outlined an ambitious plan to attract Rs 2 lakh crore in investments over five years, develop industrial corridors, and promote innovation hubs. Public sector units are to be modernised, with a goal of raising turnover to Rs 10,000 crore by 2031.Tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure also feature prominently. The manifesto targets 5 crore domestic tourists by 2031, improved support prices for key crops, and expansion of transport networks including metro and water-based systems. Speaking after releasing the manifesto, Vijayan said the vision was to combine social justice with growth, adding that development must remain “people-focused and inclusive.”

UDF: The comeback pitch – welfare with accountability

The Congress-led UDF has countered with a manifesto blending welfare guarantees with governance and institutional reforms. Released in Kochi, the document was presented by Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy and handed over to Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan. The key highlights are the “Indira Guarantees” announced by Rahul Gandhi. These include:

The UDF has also promised to legally guarantee welfare pensions, stating they are “not charity but a right.”Economic proposals include Mission Samudra to build a port-led economy, expansion of aviation infrastructure, and creation of 10,000 high-revenue enterprises. A “Job Watch Tower” is proposed to track employment trends.On social welfare, the alliance has pledged food security through Indira Canteens, free ration for vulnerable groups, and the “Nava Ashraya” housing scheme targeting five lakh beneficiaries.Healthcare and labour reforms include free dialysis for BPL patients, higher wages for ASHA workers, and subsidies for sectors such as fishing and transport.The manifesto also places emphasis on social harmony, proposing a ministry of tolerance and a social harmony department to address communal tensions and political violence.

NDA: Breaking the duopoly – Identity, benefits and big-bang projects

The BJP-led NDA, whose manifesto was released by party president Nitin Nabin, has combined direct welfare benefits with infrastructure and governance-focused proposals.Among the key promises:

The NDA has also promised to establish an AIIMS in Kerala and expand healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat to all residents.

On infrastructure, the alliance has proposed a high-speed rail corridor linking Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, expansion of metro networks, and development of Vizhinjam port into a major industrial hub.The manifesto includes a strong focus on religious and institutional reforms, with commitments to revamp Devaswom Boards and ensure “greater participation of devotees” in temple management.“We will protect Sabarimala, Guruvayoor and all other places of worship by revamping Devaswom Boards,” Nabin said.It also promises a time-bound CBI probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case and a dedicated infrastructure mission for the shrine.On the economic front, the NDA aims to transform cities into sectoral hubs, positioning Thiruvananthapuram as an IT capital, Kochi as a shipbuilding hub, and Kannur as a defence innovation centre.Nabin criticised both LDF and UDF, alleging “negligible industrial growth, economic stagnation and fiscal misgovernance,” and claimed the electorate was seeking change.

Common ground: Welfare as the political centrepiece

Despite sharp political differences, a clear pattern emerges across manifestos, welfare remains central to Kerala’s electoral politics.All three alliances have:

This convergence reflects both the expectations of Kerala’s electorate and the competitive nature of its politics, where incremental advantages can decide outcomes.

Beyond promises: The real test

While the manifestos are expansive, the key question remains implementation. Kerala’s fiscal constraints, rising debt, and structural economic challenges pose significant hurdles to delivering on large-scale commitments.At the same time, the overlap in promises raises the stakes of credibility. Voters are likely to evaluate not just what is being promised, but who is best placed to deliver.As the campaign intensifies, the 2026 election is shaping up not just as a contest of parties, but as a referendum on competing models of welfare, growth, and governance.(With inputs from agencies)

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has come to the rescue of a couple facing legal hurdles in taking their adopted daughter to Australia despite a valid adoption under Indian law. The couple, both now 44, adopted a relative’s third child in April 2023 under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA). At the time, the child was 45 days old, the wife was an Indian citizen while the husband had two months earlier acquired Australian citizenship. The wife later became an Australian citizen.However, Australian authorities did not recognise the adoption as an “inter-country adoption”, stating children adopted outside a Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption process are not automatically accepted. This meant the mother and child were stranded in India for 3 years. Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri of Bombay HC on March 30, while disposing of a petition filed last year by the couple for judicial intervention, directed the couple to approach the district magistrate to have the adoption certified. The court invoked 2022 rules that govern adoptions and directed that once the district magistrate issues the verification certificate in 30 days, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) must issue its No Objection Certificate (NOC) within 15 days. The CARA nod is crucial for inter-country adoptions and would then be intimated to the immigration authorities of India and Australia, the HC said. Children adopted overseas in circumstances outside of a Hague Convention process do not automatically have their adoptions recognised in Australia, the Australian authorities informed the couple and pointed to specific Australian migration requirements concerning special visas and citizenship pathways for adopted children. The HC said: “It is apparent that the (Australian) authorities need the appropriate authority in India to do the scrutiny and indicate its clearance. This authority is CARA.” The mother wrote to CARA in August 2025 what the Australian Home Affairs had emailed her. CARA, in turn, said since the adoptive father was an Australian citizen with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, Section 68 of Adoption Regulations, 2022 (rules governing inter-country HAMA adoptions), applied. A reply by CARA before the HC said it cannot regularise any aspect of the couple’s adoption unless they comply with requirements under the 2022 regulations to relocate a child adopted under HAMA to a foreign country. Anil Anturkar, senior counsel appearing for the adoptive parents, said it was not a case of inter-country adoption and questioned the objections raised by CARA. He said Regulation 69 of the Adoption Regulations, which pertains to concluded HAMA adoptions, would apply to the couple. It was an “expatriate adoption”, Australian authorities had said. “There is no provision either in the Juvenile Justice Act or the Adoption Regulations 2022, which defines Expatriate Adoption,” the HC said, but noted the adoption was legal under HAMA. The HC, after also hearing advocate YR Mishra for the Centre, held that in the peculiar facts, process under Section 69 would kick in. “Regulation 69 prescribes the adoption process and considers the case of parties to an adoption already concluded under the HAMA. This Regulation will have to be read as being applicable to the case,” said the HC, citing prior SC rulings. The court said: “Ideally petitioners should have followed Regulation 68 (procedure for inter-country adoptions).” But the process now cannot be reversed, the HC said, adding it had to consider “the future of the adopted baby as well.” The HC ruling made available late Thursday also noted that the mother, twice earlier, “on wrong advice” had filed petitions that led her nowhere. The HC said, “If the child is not permitted to be taken to Australia because of technicalities, the adoption would fail.” Justice Ghuge, who authored the judgment, observed adoptive parents’ dedication. The case “navigated through complex laws, to bless the adopted child with the love and care of the adoptive parents”, said the HC, noting the “sincerity and purity of the feelings of the adoptive parents.”

NEW DELHI: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday defended the removal of Raghav Chadha as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, calling it part of routine party functioning and warning that those who deviate from the party line would face action.“This is regular party functioning. It is his call on what statement he wants to make.” Mann said.He added, “Those who break party lines should be subjected to action.”