Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that the Centre’s discriminatory stance in providing financial support has been influenced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s vindictive attitude towards Kerala.
Addressing mass gatherings organised in the Chirayinkeezhu, Attingal, Vamanapuram, and Nedumangad Assembly constituencies during the Navakerala Sadas mass outreach programme on Thursday, Mr. Vijayan also accused the Congress of siding with the BJP in attempting to destroy the State.
The alleged economic embargo imposed by the Centre by way of denial of tax share and revenue deficit grants had impacted the State’s growth aspirations, despite the effective fiscal management undertaken by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, which had led to an increase in domestic growth rate and own revenue by 8% and 41% compared to 2016. There had been a shortfall of over ₹1.075 lakh crore in Central allocation during the past seven years, the Chief Minister said.
