Sun Nov 02 12:02:51 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) is making poverty eradication the central theme of its campaign for the upcoming local body elections in Kerala. State Secretary M.V. Govindan announced the party’s aim to eliminate multidimensional poverty, building upon the LDF’s claim of having already eradicated extreme poverty. He criticized the Union government’s alleged financial embargo on Kerala and promised an increase in social welfare pensions if federal funds are released. Govindan also contrasted Kerala’s progress with higher poverty rates in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, while acknowledging the bipartisan efforts of community workers and even Congress-led districts in the fight against poverty.
News Article:
Kerala CPI(M) Pledges Poverty Eradication in Local Election Push
Thiruvananthapuram, November 2, 2025 – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has announced that eliminating poverty at the household level will be the cornerstone of its campaign for the upcoming local body elections in Kerala.
Speaking at a press conference Sunday, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan declared that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had already eradicated extreme poverty and is now setting its sights on eliminating multidimensional poverty across the state. Govindan cited Niti Aayog data indicating that Kerala’s multidimensional poverty rate has fallen to 0.7% of the population.
“If LDF can eradicate extreme poverty, the goal of eliminating multidimensional poverty is easily within the State’s reach,” Govindan stated.
Govindan also pledged to increase the monthly social welfare pension from ₹2,000 to ₹2,500, contingent on the Union government ending what he termed a “financial embargo” on Kerala and releasing ₹2 lakh crore in owed federal funds.
He contrasted Kerala’s progress with that of BJP-ruled states, highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s higher poverty rate. However, Govindan also acknowledged the bipartisan efforts of local communities, including volunteers, Kudumbashree workers, and even Congress-led district panchayats, in combating poverty. He cited the Ernakulam district panchayat, controlled by Congress, which declared they eradicated poverty with the effort of the local government.
The announcement follows meetings of the CPI(M) State secretariat and State committee, attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and LDF convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan, where the party laid out its roadmap for the local body campaign. The focus on poverty eradication signals a key strategy for the LDF as the elections approach.
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