Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, ministers to head for Delhi as Modi makes forays into state

Thiruvananthapuram: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Kerala frequently to strengthen the BJP's electoral prospects ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the CPM-led LDF government has decided to take the fight against the Central Government to Delhi.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues will stage a protest dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on February 8 against the central government’s `stepmotherly’ treatment towards Kerala. MPs, MLAs and elected representatives will take part in the protest.

The “Delhi Chalo” campaign comes close on the heels of the 35-day state-wide bus yatra of Kerala Cabinet covering 140 assembly constituencies which ended on December 23.

The Left leadership has constantly raised the financial issues confronting the state.

According to CPM leaders, Kerala should have received a total of Rs 57,000 crore by way of GST compensation, revenue deficit grant, hike in borrowing limit and under various other heads.

Amid the financial crisis, some relief came to the state on December 22, when the government received Rs 1404 crore from the central government as tax devolution ahead of festivities.

The LDF leadership has invited the opposition parties including the Congress to come on board against the constant neglect of the state by the Centre. However, opposition leader V D Satheeshan has clarified that a decision on joining the dharna against the central government in Delhi would be taken only after holding discussions within the UDF.

While the UDF agrees that the Centre is neglecting Kerala, it also blames the inefficiency of the LDF government for the miseries of the people. According to UDF over 4 lakh people have not been paid social security pension dues for four months, paddy farmers are in crisis, Rs 250 support price for rubber farmers on papers, nine lakh homeless people awaiting homes under the Life Mission project, non-availability of essential commodities in Supplyco and subsidised products in Maveli stores.

The ruling LDF leadership has also invited the leaders of the India alliance partners to join the dharna. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would be writing letters to the non-BJP chief ministers explaining the central government’s attack on the federal structure and attempts to squeeze the states financially. “The protest by the chief minister and ministers in Delhi will invite the attention of national and international media. Besides, it will send across a message as to how federalism was under attack in the Modi regime,” said LDF convener E P Jayarajan.

The prime minister during his recent visit to Thrissur spoke about his guarantee. “As prime minister, he is duty-bound to work for the welfare of all sections including women. He has to deliver. Unfortunately, he only makes big announcements in his speeches and fails to implement them,” he said.

The Kerala cabinet dharna is taking place in Delhi in the backdrop of Congress’s oft-repeated “Modi Pinrayi bhai bhai” charge. The Congressmen in Kerala allege that Pinarayi Vijayan has a tactical understanding with Modi as both want to weaken the Congress.