Kerala polls: Karnataka Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar says 10-year LDF rule has failed to bring growth or job prospects to Kerala

The CPI(M)-led LDF government has failed to bring development and investment to Kerala in the past 10 years or create new employment opportunities, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday (April 6, 2026).

In Thiruvananthapuram for the Congress’ election campaign, Mr. Shivakumar challenged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) to explain what the LDF government “has given to the State of Kerala.”

He said the Pinarayi government failed to come out with a policy that encourages more investment in Kerala, more employment opportunities and stronger gross state domestic product (GSDP) growth. “The Chief Minister must answer what investment you have brought to Kerala,” he said.  

‘Policies liberal in Karnataka’

Investors opt for Karnataka because the policies there are liberal. But those who attempt to invest in Kerala say the policies are “not open,” he said.

On Kerala’s top position in ease of doing business, Mr. Shivakumar countered, “But what has come? There should be some accountability. Something should be visible. Numbers should be visible. The communist mindset has to go, and liberalisation has to come back to attract investment, he said.

“The policies that you give are very important. Policies will attract investment. The protection that you give investors is important,” he added.

Despite being “highly educated, intelligent and hardworking”, Keralites still do not have the opportunity to work in their own State, Mr. Shivakumar said.

“Unemployment is at a peak. Youngsters are opting to leave Kerala to places such as Saudi Arabia, Bengaluru, Mumbai or Delhi. Keralites constitute 20% of the engineers working in Karnataka,” he said.

‘LDF-BJP nexus’ in polls

Stating that the Congress-led UDF will win “two-thirds majority,” Mr. Shivakumar reiterated his charges of an “LDF-BJP nexus” in the Assembly polls in Kerala.

He also alleged that unlike in other States, Central investigation agencies have not targeted the LDF government despite scams, including the Sabarimala gold theft case, being reported.

He urged the people of Kerala to elect the UDF for a “corruption-free, transparent government that will usher in investment and change the system.”