Kerala CM To Lead Protest Against Centre In Delhi Today

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Wednesday that he will lead his cabinet, and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) MLAs and MPs for the protest in Delhi scheduled to be held on Thursday. Pinarayi will be the second chief minister to take his regime to Delhi to strike against the “Union government’s crippling financial embargo” on Kerala and to demand the state’s “rightful share of taxes”.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with his cabinet protested on Wednesday against the central government’s tax devolution policies.

The CPI(M)-led LDF leader said that the struggle is necessary for the essential survival and advancement of the state. Ministers, legislators, and parliamentarians from the state will actively participate in this protest,” he said, reports Economic Times.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced on Tuesday that he will support the Kerala CM in Delhi and will wear black shirts on the Parliament premises in support of the LDF’s protest.

While speaking at the Kerala House, Kerala CM said that the aim of the struggle is not to triumph over anyone, but to secure what we rightfully deserve instead of surrendering. “We believe that the entire country will stand with Kerala in support of this protest”, he added.

The CM will lead the protest at the Jantar Mantar at 11 am on Thursday, ministers of the LDF government, MLAs of the ruling dispensation, and leaders of LDF partners will take part in the agitation.

The LDF government accused the BJP-led centre of pushing the state into the worst financial crisis by cutting the state’s rightful borrowing limit and denying dues under various heads including revenue deficit grants, GST compensation, and centrally-sponsored schemes. The Financial minister of the state, K N Balagopal during his budget speech alleged that the Centre has curtailed around Rs 57,000 crore of the state’s rightful dues in the current fiscal. He also added that the state will have to opt for a plan B if the centre continues with its negligence.