Center neglects Kerala in all areas; His actions weakened cooperative federalism: CM Vijayan
As Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) prepares to protest against the Center on Thursday, Vijayan also alleged that BJP- and NDA-ruled states are being given favorable treatment.
New Delhi: The Centre's discrimination against Kerala and the resulting financial crisis have forced the state to resort to the protest route, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday, while asserting that the Union government's actions have weakened cooperative federalism.
As Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) prepares to protest against the Center on Thursday, Vijayan also alleged that BJP- and NDA-ruled states are being given favorable treatment. Addressing a press meet in the national capital, Vijayan expressed hope that the protest will receive massive support and many leaders from non-BJP ruled states are expected to participate in it.
The Centre's discriminatory approach is impacting the state's social efforts and such practices must stop, Vijayan said. The situation should not be seen as a divide between North and South. It is about getting states' rights, Vijayan said in the backdrop of differences between the opposition parties.
Kerala is neglected in all areas. The discrimination and financial problems have forced the state to resort to protest, the chief minister said. The protest against the Centre's alleged neglect of the state is not to defeat anyone but to get what is rightfully due to the state, he said, adding that the Center has cut back on resources.
The chief minister also said he does not understand why the opposition Congress in Kerala is not supporting the protest. Amid criticism that the planned protest against the Centre's negligence in Kerala is a political drama, State Finance Minister KN Balagopal, who was also present at the briefing, refuted the allegation and said many other states were also raising the issue put things in order.
Vijayan also lashed out at Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, with whom the state government was at loggerheads over several issues, including appointments in universities. “We are seeing a situation where a governor should not function,” Vijayan said. Vijayan along with his cabinet colleagues will organize the protest in the national capital on Thursday.