Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan on Sunday said the party MLAs would not participate in the inauguration of the Priyadarshini programme, which offers free travel for women in KSRTC buses.

Speaking to reporters, Govindan alleged that the UDF government had failed to fulfil its election promise to provide free travel for women on all Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services.

The scheme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday.

“They said women could travel anywhere. Now it has been limited to around 1,000 buses. There are only a limited number of ordinary category buses in North Kerala, while most of them are in Thiruvananthapuram,” he said.

Govindan alleged that the government had misled the public by diluting its poll promises.

“They promised Rs 21,000 for ASHA workers, but only a marginal increase was given,” he said.

“What they promised is not being implemented. We are pointing this out critically. We will not cooperate with the programme as it amounts to deceiving the people,” he added.

Responding to the criticism, Transport Minister C P John invoked the proverb, “When destruction is near, the mind works in the wrong direction.”

“What can we do? We request them to change their stand,” he said.

During the election campaign, the UDF had promised free travel for women in KSRTC buses as part of its five guarantees.

The state government will fund the expenses incurred by KSRTC for implementing the programme.