Kottayam (Kerala): BJP on Thursday accused successive
LDF and UDF governments in Kerala of being 'apathetic' to the
development needs of the state, resulting in lakhs of people
seeking jobs abroad.
"Both LDF and UDF over the years have failed to address
the major problem of employment, which has resulted in over 30
lakh Keralites seeking jobs abroad," senior BJP leader Sushma
Swaraj said, addressing a meet the press programme here.
The BJP, she said, was not asking for votes to form the
government, but wanted to play the role of an effective
opposition highlighting the failures of the government.
She exuded confidence of the BJP making an impressive
mark in the coming polls. "We are confident our party will
enter the assembly with impressive numbers."
To a query on the reported derogatory remarks of Chief
Minister V S Achutanandan against UDF candidate Lathika
Subhash in Malampuzha constituency, she said, "There is some
hidden meaning in his words. I felt hurt".
On social activist Anna Hazare's fast demanding passing
of the Jan Lokpal Bill, she said he has raised the issue at
the right time and asked the Centre to convene an all party
meet to discuss the issue.
To a question, she said BJP leaders had contacted the
Nair Service Society and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalanam in
the state and sought their votes "as they are influential
organisations."
To another question, Swaraj said there cannot be any
retirement age for contesting elections.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, April 07, 2011, 20:44