UDF

UDF demands cancellation of leave granted to jailed BJP councillor Sugathan. The United Democratic Front (UDF) is calling for the revocation of the leave.

Pinarayi accuses the UDF government of enabling the Sangh Parivar's agenda in Kerala's higher education sector by not opposing the Governor's interventions in universities and ceasing resistance previously mounted by the LDF government. The claim centers on the UDF's alleged inaction and silence on these issues.

Kerala CM Satheesan claims all VACB findings exonerating him in the Punarjani case were conducted under the LDF government, with no investigation or proceedings after the Congress-led UDF took power.

Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John faces backlash for suggesting some women were pretending to be poor to access free travel under the UDF government's Priyadarshini scheme. The remarks targeted women using the flagship scheme's free bus travel on KSRTC ordinary-class buses.

The UDF in Kerala faces a dilemma over the PM SHRI initiative, balancing the need for central government funds against maintaining political integrity. The party must decide whether to accept the program's benefits or risk compromising its principles.

Pinarayi Vijayan accuses Congress, IUML, and the UDF of initially opposing PM SHRI and later implementing it after coming to power, calling their stance baseless and accusing them of betraying their workers and people.

The UDF has announced a subcommittee to develop a liquor policy for the 2026-27 fiscal year, aiming to balance Kerala’s fiscal needs with social and political sensitivities around low-strength alcohol production. The initiative has faced criticism from Muslim and Christian forums as well as within the Congress.

UDF drops opposition to PM SHRI, citing crucial federal funding for school education in Kerala. UDF convener Adoor Prakash stated that actions taken by the previous LDF government cannot be undone due to fiscal commitments.

V.R. Sudheer of UDF became Kochi Corporation Deputy Mayor by securing 46 votes, defeating P.J. Yesudas of LDF (21 votes) and Jalaja S. Acharya of BJP (6 votes).

UDF has selected V.R. Sudheer as its candidate for the Kochi Corporation deputy mayor election. The post has been vacant since Deepak Joy resigned after being elected as Thripunithura MLA. UDF holds 48 of the 76 seats in the house, with LDF and BJP also contesting the position.

CPI(M)'s Central Committee review criticized focusing the 2026 Kerala Assembly campaign on Pinarayi Vijayan, arguing it weakened political effectiveness by overshadowing efforts to expose Congress and UDF's 'reactionary, ruling class bias.'

The Kochi Corporation Council rejected an LDF resolution opposing a significant cut in Plan funds in the revised State Budget, with only 28 of 76 councillors supporting the resolution. The UDF argued the reduction was offset by ₹84 crore allocated under the 16th Finance Commission, which can be used without restrictions.

INL accuses UDF of attempting to seize control of the Kerala Waqf Board and its properties, including the disputed Munambam Waqf land, to advance RSS agenda. The party claims the V.D. Satheesan-led government is making concerted efforts to achieve this.

The Kerala government has advised departments to adopt austerity measures in budget estimates amid a financial dispute between the UDF and LDF. The finance department emphasized canceling uneconomical schemes and deferring non-urgent expenditures, including maintenance costs.

Congress rebels in Pala municipality are attempting to form a new ruling arrangement with the LDF after toppling the UDF. The move aims to secure control of the municipality through a coalition with the LDF.

Kerala CM claims the previous CPI(M)-led LDF government agreed to include non-Muslim members on the Waqf Board. V.D. Satheesan accuses Pinarayi Vijayan of attempting to 'foment communal sentiments' against the Congress-led UDF government.

Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the UDF's position on the Waqf issue will sacrifice minority interests and negatively impact pending writ petitions in the Supreme Court.

IUML faces pressure from various quarters over decisions perceived as a shift from its earlier positions on issues such as Waqf, PM SHRI, and the government’s move to reduce taxes on low-alcohol beverages. The party advises ministers to back UDF with caution amid the controversy.

IUML opposes the amended Waqf Act requiring non-Muslim and Shia representation on State Waqf Boards, but the UDF government, which includes IUML, instructs the High Court to reconstitute the board under the amended law.

Pinarayi released a white paper titled 'White Paper of Facts' to challenge UDF claims about Kerala's economy, asserting that public debt grew more slowly during LDF's governance than under the previous UDF administration. The white paper was prepared by the AKG Centre for Research and Studies.

LDF councillors plan to stage a dharna in response to a significant reduction in plan allocation from ₹133.34 crore to ₹23.67 crore in the revised State Budget. The drop is attributed to the shift from the previous LDF government's budget to the current UDF government's revised budget.

Satheesan asks Pinarayi to clarify whether Adani Group took steps to sell stake in Vizhinjam port during LDF rule. The Chief Minister asserts the current UDF government will prioritize state interests in Vizhinjam decisions.

UDF members will lead Syndicate panels at Calicut University. P. Rasheed Ahammed, a Syndicate member since 2019, has been appointed pro Vice-Chancellor.

RSP's decision to grant membership to former DYFI leaders has caused friction in the UDF, angering Congress and Youth Congress, who argue it undermines UDF's political integrity without collective approval.

LDF seeks a trust vote in Kerala’s Pala municipality amid a deepening UDF rift. A notice with signatures from all 12 Opposition councillors was sent to the deputy director of the Local Self-Governments department, and the move is expected to gain support from six Congress councillors.

KU Syndicate reduced the number of standing committees from 10 to seven, and UDF secured all convenerships. This marks the first time since the University Act in 1974 that CPI(M) has not held a standing committee convenership in the Syndicate.

Congress opposes an independent alliance in Pala, criticizing the council's decision to grant DYFI permission for a district meet as 'political betrayal.' The three-member collective involved claims it has an agreement with the UDF, not solely Congress.

The UDF government extended the accreditation period of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) until July 31, sparking debate. Senior UDF leaders, including V.D. Satheesan, had previously criticized the Left Democratic Front government for alleged unfair patronage of ULCCS.

Kerala CPI(M) leader M.V. Jayarajan offers expelled leaders a chance to return to the party if they 'rectify their mistake'. The statement appears directed at CPI(M) dissidents-turned-UDF Independent MLAs T.K. Govindan and V. Kunhikrishnan, who represent Payyannur and Taliparamba Assembly constituencies.

CPI(M) leader Puthalath Dinesan acknowledged party shortcomings in the Kerala Assembly election campaign, including candidate selection, delayed action on the Sabarimala gold loss issue, and ineffective response to the UDF's campaign, as reasons for their defeat. The admission highlights internal criticism of the LDF's electoral strategy and decision-making.

IUML asserts that decisions on liquor must be made through UDF. The statement highlights the necessity of UDF's involvement in liquor-related decisions.

The Finance Bill was passed in the Kerala Assembly amid a boycott by the Opposition. The bill states that tax revisions for low-alcohol beverages will take effect after a government notification, and the LDF opposes it for not being referred to the House’s Subject Committee by the UDF government.

The Kochi Corporation has introduced free rides for women on its ro-ro ferries. The resolution was proposed by K.A. Manaf and supported by ruling UDF councillors, while opposition LDF and BJP councillors were neither fully supportive nor opposed.

Violence erupted at a Thiruvananthapuram Corporation meeting when a BJP councillor attacked Congress leader K.S. Sabarinadhan. The meeting began amid protests by the Opposition LDF and UDF against the continuation of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who was arrested under KAAPA and is in Viyyur prison. Two women Congress councillors were also allegedly attacked.

The Confederation of University Employees Organisations claims the appointment of a temporary Vice-Chancellor at Kerala Agricultural University reflects a UDF-BJP deal. The university's act requires the Chancellor to consult the Pro-Chancellor, a position held by the Agriculture Minister, for such appointments.

Kerala’s ‘sea and sky’ are described as being set for privatisation, according to Pinarayi Vijayan. The Leader of the Opposition notes that the UDF came to power due to public demand for change but cautions that the new government's changes warrant examination.

The article titled 'UDF: Flying from Bhogapuram airport will be a costly affair, say travellers' reports that travelers claim flying from Bhogapuram airport is expensive. The provided content includes a note about using file pictures for the airport.

The UDF government in Kerala faces criticism over a proposed low-proof liquor sale policy. Opposition LDF accuses the government of corruption by forgoing ₹600 crore in sales tax revenue, while prohibition activists demand the proposal be revoked, citing risks of increased underage drinking.

Minister O.J. Janeesh accused the LDF of causing excessive liquor in Kerala. The UDF has not yet finalized its liquor policy and will decide after consultations within the front and party.

LDF convener Ramakrishnan accused UDF and Satheesan of misleading people regarding a liquor-related issue. The statement highlights a political dispute between the two groups.