The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will seek to end the self-seeking saga of bipolar politics in Kerala, according to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
The game of oneupmanship played out during the past many decades by alternating Congress and Left governments in the state is to be blamed for its failures on various fronts, he said.
Releasing the NDA's vision document for the state ahead of the Assembly elections here today, Jaitley said the Congress and the Left are 'natural partners' in the regressive governance practiced here.
The NDA seeks to offer the state a clear break from this disreputable past and present an effective and credible third alternative, he added.
Historically, the state was rich and self-sufficient but its wealth was not evenly distributed because of the flawed economic model evolved by the Leftists, followed in letter and spirit by the Congress.
A third and alternative development model has been conspicuous by its absence, Jaitley said.
Total prohibition
Meanwhile, the vision document promises to introduce total prohibition in the state in phases. Sales through outlets of the state beverages corporation will be restricted.
A customer will not be allowed to take home more than 250 ml in a single transaction, the vision document specifies.
It also lists a series of proposals aimed at tribal welfare and sustained growth not only in the agriculture sector and but also the overall economy.
Some of these are a scholarship scheme for students, land for the landless, jobs for tribal youth, interest-free credit for farmers, and a Rs 10,000-crore scheme for coastal area development.
Resource conservation
The document proposes a high-speed corridor between the north and south of the state which will cut down the travel time between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram from 12 hours to just two hours.
This project will be implemented in seven years. The document also lays stress on conservation of natural resources.
It promises to bring out a white paper on the grave situation developing as a result of destruction of environment. It vows to plant five crore tree saplings over a period of five years.