Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today launched a new front of resistance in Thiruvananthapuram with a one-day Satyagraha protest against the Centre. Vijayan accused the BJP-led central government of strangulating the state financially through its anti-people policies.
The Satyagraha protest organised by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) aims to draw national attention to the Central government’s violation of the financial rights of Kerala. The agitation will be held till 5pm today at the Martyrs’ Memorial (Raktasakshi Mandapam) in Palayamm, Thiruvananthapuram. Several ministers, legislators, Members of Parliament, party leaders and other elected representatives are expected to take part in the protest.
CM accuses Centre of violating state’s fiscal rights
Addressing the LDF-led Satyagraha, Vijayan alleged that leaders at the Centre assume absolute authority and continue discrimination against Kerala. He accused the BJP of violating the state’s constitutional rights. He said, “What is happening to Kerala is something that should never occur in a democratic country. The Union rulers are arbitrarily and discriminatorily usurping our rights. These are constitutional rights, and it is to protect those rights that we are being forced to take to the streets.”
CM alleged that from January through March, the Union government cut the funds available for the state’s utilisation by more than half at the last minute. He said, “Kerala was entitled to ₹12,000 crore. It is not possible to move forward relying only on revenue income; borrowing is also essential, especially to meet end-of-year expenditures. Of the ₹12,000 crore borrowing limit, ₹5,900 crore has been denied without justification. This is not all. Under centrally sponsored schemes implemented in the country, including those in Kerala, the state first spends its own funds.”
Furthermore, the chief minister claimed that the Union government intended to weaken and undermine Kerala as a whole and dismantle its achievements across sectors. “These actions cannot be seen as targeting only the state government. They affect all sections of the people and amount to a policy that squeezes Kerala as a whole. What is happening is part of a deliberate and well-planned approach. Planning should be meant to lead a state towards progress, but the Union government is attempting to weaken and undermine Kerala,” he said.