The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has virtually upstaged the Left Democratic Front (LDF) on the issue of decentralisation of power to local bodies under the Pinarayi Vijayan dispensation. Decentralisation of power has been a constant for successive LDF governments since the advent of panchayati raj system. The Nayanar government was the first to announce devolution of 33% of the Budget funds to local bodies, which later became a norm. The Achuthanandan government also gave much importance to local bodies, routing a seizable amount of development allocation through the local bodies, with the Planning Board playing a pivotal role. Congress members of all local bodies will participate in the Assembly march, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran said.

Source: The Hindu June 30, 2019 18:11 UTC