BJP Leader Accuses Kerala Government of Misleading Public on Funds
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar made strong allegations against the Kerala government on Monday. He claimed that a decade under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has "destroyed Kerala." Chandrasekhar spoke at a news conference in Thiruvananthapuram.
Claims of Massive Central Funding
Chandrasekhar presented figures to support his argument. He stated that the Narendra Modi government transferred Rs 3.20 lakh crore to Kerala between 2014 and 2024. This amount contrasts sharply with the Rs 72,000 crore Kerala received during the ten years of the UPA government.
The BJP leader questioned why protests are happening now. He pointed out that Kerala received nearly 4.5 times more assistance under the Modi government. He also noted that the CPM did not stage agitations when the UPA, which they supported, was in power.
Allegations of Misleading Narratives
Chandrasekhar accused the Left government of spreading false claims. He said the state government is blaming the Centre for withholding funds to divert attention from its own failures. According to him, the government should account for what it achieved over ten years instead of shifting focus.
He specifically addressed the Chief Minister's claim about Rs 12,000 crore not received from the Centre. Chandrasekhar explained that the amount was withheld because utilisation certificates were not submitted. "The Union finance ministry is not a cooperative bank where funds can be spent arbitrarily," he remarked.
Rising Debt and Poor Performance
The BJP president highlighted Kerala's financial situation. He claimed that when Vijayan became chief minister, Kerala's public debt was Rs 1.4 lakh crore. This debt has now risen to Rs 5 lakh crore.
Despite the Centre providing about Rs 7 lakh crore during this period, Chandrasekhar said Kerala became one of the country's worst performers. He cited high unemployment and significant price rise as evidence of poor governance.
Exhausted Borrowing Limit and Stalled Projects
Chandrasekhar explained why Kerala's borrowing limit is exhausted. He said liabilities from KIIFB, the pension company, and debts of public sector undertakings are the reasons. He denied that the Centre curtailed the state's borrowing powers.
He further alleged that the state government is stalling central projects worth Rs 16,000 crore. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pointed out this fact. Chandrasekhar also mentioned ongoing issues in Kerala:
- 54,000 households still lack drinking water.
- Contractors are owed Rs 6,000 crore.
- About 45,000 people continue to live in colonies.
The BJP state chief concluded by urging the state government to stop misleading the public. He insisted that the government must take responsibility for its decade-long governance instead of blaming the Centre.
