The ruling Left Democratic Front of Kerala (LDF) will organise a protest in Delhi against the Centre's alleged neglect towards the southern state in financial matters.
Left front ministers, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, legislators and parliamentarians from Kerala, will actively partake in the protest being held at 11 am on Thursday. Though the LDF invited Kerala's Congress-led Opposition front to join the protest, they rejected the proposal. The UDF had stated that it does not agree with the Left narrative blaming the Centre for all of the state's financial problems. It had cited other reasons, including the state government's alleged mismanagement in tax collection, gold sales, and issues related to receiving its share of the IGST, for Kerala's financial distress.
'Undermining federal principles'
A statement from the Kerala chief minister said the agitation is intended to safeguard the constitutional rights of all states, not merely Kerala's. "The aim of this struggle is not to triumph over anyone, but to secure what we rightfully deserve instead of surrendering," the Kerala CM said in Delhi according to a statement issued by his office.
He added that Stalin's support was a boost to the Left front's efforts to "stand up and resist the vicious efforts to undermine the federal principles enshrined in our Constitution".
Vijayan alleged that the Union government's actions have weakened cooperative federalism, stating that BJP and NDA-ruled states are getting favourable treatment. Vijayan expresses hope that the protest will get massive support and that many leaders from non-BJP-ruled states are expected to participate in it.
"The Centre's discriminatory approach is impacting the state's social welfare efforts, and such practices should stop, Vijayan said. "The situation should not be seen as a divide between the North and the South. It is about getting the rights of the states," Vijayan said against the backdrop of differences among Opposition parties.
"Kerala is being neglected in all areas. The discrimination and the financial woes have forced the state to resort to the protest," the chief minister said.
State finance minister K N Balagopal also refuted the allegation that the protest was a political drama.
Kerala's protest comes as Congress legislators and MPs from Karnataka, including Ministers from Siddaramaiah-led government, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday, demanding that the union government set right the losses allegedly incurred by the State to the tune of Rs 1,87,000 crore, during five years under the 15th finance commission.
(With PTI inputs)
