THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who returned from the UAE after his five-day visit to mobilise resource for Rebuild Kerala, made a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “discrimination against the state”. He said the state would have received substantial fund had the Centre issued clearance for foreign aid as not just the UAE but many other countries were planning to contribute.
“During our meeting, the PM had taken a favourable stance towards ministers going abroad. He even mentioned Gujarat receiving foreign support when he was the Chief Minister. Till last Tuesday night, we were hopeful the Centre would give clearance. I didn’t go abroad to beg as alleged by the BJP leaders. When the state faced a calamity, we were trying to address the same with the help of NRKs,” he said.
Pinarayi alleged the Centre has been taking a discriminatory approach towards Kerala.
“Gujarat suffered one of the biggest natural calamities when Modi was the Chief Minister. Back then, that state accepted help from other countries. As per the guidelines, we can’t seek support from any country. But if anyone comes forward on his/her own, that can be accepted. So, why only Kerala can’t accept foreign aid,” he asked.
Pinarayi also attacked the BJP state leaders for their negative approach.“The BJP leaders are of the view that there’s no need to seek funds from anyone. They also say the Centre need not support the state. There’s nothing surprising about their stance as they haven’t played any role in the state’s progress at any point of time. Going by the state’s socio-political history, it’s evident. At no point of time, they’ve made any social intervention that would help Kerala,” he said, adding the BJP has been taking an approach that would destroy the state.