Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced a series of welfare promises for Kerala under what the party calls the “Indira Guarantees,” positioning them as a key plank for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.

The announcements were made at the concluding event of the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) Puthuyuga Yatra on Saturday. The proposals include free travel for women on KSRTC buses, a monthly financial aid of ₹1,000 for female college students, and an increase in social security pensions to ₹3,000.

The package also promises health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh per household, named in memory of former chief minister Oommen Chandy, and interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to support young entrepreneurs. Another proposal is the creation of a dedicated ministry focused on senior citizens’ welfare.

During his speech, Gandhi also criticised the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing it of corruption and questioning why central investigative agencies target opposition leaders while cases involving those in power remain unresolved.

Supporters of the UDF argue the welfare guarantees are designed to promote inclusive growth and address the needs of women, youth and elderly citizens. Critics, however, warn that such promises could intensify concerns over Kerala’s already high debt levels.

With elections expected in April 2026, the announcement signals the start of an early policy battle between the UDF and the ruling LDF, where welfare models and fiscal sustainability are likely to dominate the political debate.