Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 (NationPress) Veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala expressed optimism on Friday about the United Democratic Front (UDF) achieving a remarkable victory in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, confidently predicting that the coalition will surpass the 100-seat threshold and establish the next government.

With elections scheduled for April 9, when voters will choose 140 new legislators, Chennithala emphasized the UDF's main goal is to secure a definitive mandate from the public.

"We are confident of winning more than 100 seats. The people of Kerala are in search of a change, and the UDF is prepared to offer a stable and accountable government," he stated.

Regarding leadership, Chennithala clarified that the decision on the Chief Minister will rest with the party's high command post-elections.

He noted that discussions about leadership are secondary for now, with the primary focus on winning the election.

In an effort to quell rumors of discord, Chennithala affirmed that both the Congress and UDF are united.

He acknowledged that he and the current Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, have different approaches but insisted there are no divisions within the party.

Chennithala highlighted his collaborative relationship with key leaders, including K.C. Venugopal and Satheesan, reinforcing that the front operates cohesively.

Shifting focus to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government, Chennithala criticized it for significant failings in the rehabilitation of Wayanad disaster victims.

He asserted that the government has fallen short of its commitments to complete housing for those impacted.

"The rehabilitation has been both inadequate and delayed," he claimed, assuring that a government led by Congress would ensure timely completion of housing projects.

Chennithala also remarked that during his time as Leader of the Opposition, he uncovered numerous instances of corruption by the government, expressing confidence that these issues will resonate with voters in the upcoming election.

In 2021, when Chennithala was the Leader of Opposition, he anticipated that the UDF would win and he would become the next Chief Minister in the state known for alternating power between rival fronts. However, Chief Minister Vijayan's unprecedented victory dashed those hopes.

His ambitions were further thwarted when, despite having the support of a majority of Congress MLAs, he was not reinstated as Leader of the Opposition due to intervention from the party high command, which appointed Satheesan instead.

With an apparent anti-incumbency sentiment against Vijayan, all eyes are now on whether Chennithala will have better luck if the UDF claims victory in the elections.