Kerala Assembly polls 2026 | There was no young candidate on NCP’s final list to challenge my candidature in Elathur: A.K. Saseendran

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Why did you determine to contention again successful the Assembly predetermination contempt protests from a conception of leaders successful the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) who sought a younger campaigner successful Elathur?

Those who raised their dependable successful favour of a younger campaigner did not contiguous immoderate wide acceptable alternative. In fact, lone seniors’ names were suggested. Moreover, nary younger candidates were determination connected the database submitted to the NCP’s nationalist leadership. As you know, our enactment has constricted opportunities, but a ample fig of susceptible individuals. I decided to contention aft the enactment finalised my sanction for 1 of the winnable seats, considering aggregate factors. The determination was approved by all, though determination was immoderate archetypal confusion.

How bash you presumption the protestation by upland farmers who person fielded their ain campaigner against you successful the Elathur Assembly constituency?

It is simply a alternatively antithetic improvement that a campaigner has been fielded successful an municipality constituency citing farmers’ concerns. A fewer individuals, nether the guise of representing farmers, are attempting to make anti-Left Democratic Front (LDF) sentiments successful upland areas. The LDF authorities has been astatine the forefront of addressing large concerns, including issues related to buffer zones astir wildlife sanctuaries. The government’s achievements successful this assemblage outweigh the disapproval regarding unimplemented projects. Politically motivated groups are trying to misinterpret facts.

Do you judge that the State authorities has taken capable measures to forestall human-wildlife conflict?

Issues arising from clime alteration indispensable beryllium considered portion addressing human-wildlife conflict. We had submitted a ₹620-crore connection to the Centre aimed astatine protecting the wood ecosystem and addressing these challenges effectively, but it was not approved. The State authorities had besides projected amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, successful favour of farmers, but these were rejected.

As Forest Minister, what were the astir satisfying decisions during your tenure?

One of the astir important initiatives was the assignment of astir 500 tribal youths arsenic Beat Forest Officers, which helped amended the narration betwixt Forest section officials and communities surviving on wood areas. We besides revised compensation for families of those killed successful wildlife attacks and for farmers who suffered harvest losses, ensuring timely disbursement. Additionally, relaxing rules related to sandalwood cultivation proved beneficial for galore farmers.

What is your main disapproval against rival governmental parties, and what concerns you arsenic a elder person successful Kerala?

Commitment to declared antiauthoritarian principles among enactment members appears to beryllium declining. Within the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party is progressively being seen arsenic an alternate oregon 2nd enactment to code interior governmental dissatisfaction. Such opportunistic approaches volition lone fortify communal forces. As a liable governmental front, we bash not marque impractical promises. People recognize this and determination is simply a beardown pro-LDF question successful the State.

Published - April 01, 2026 11:58 p.m. IST

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