Kerala, 29 May (H.S.):

Addressing a press conference after the Governor’s policy address in the Assembly, the former Chief Minister alleged that the government had failed to outline a clear vision for the State’s development and had remained conspicuously silent on several key issues affecting Kerala.

Pinarayi said the policy address did not adequately address what he termed the Central government’s continued neglect of Kerala. According to him, the State government failed to raise several critical issues on which Kerala is entitled to seek support and financial assistance from the Centre.

“The government has chosen to remain silent on matters that should have been strongly taken up with the Union government. Kerala has several legitimate rights and claims that need to be pursued vigorously. The failure to mention these issues could result in the State losing benefits and opportunities that rightfully belong to it,” he said.

The Opposition leader also criticised the absence of any reference to major development initiatives launched during the previous LDF administration. He noted that the policy address made no mention of flagship programmes such as Kudumbashree and the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), both of which played a significant role in the State’s development agenda.

Pinarayi argued that the policy speech lacked a comprehensive blueprint for what he described as a “New Age Kerala.” He said the previous LDF government had prepared a detailed development framework for the State, but the policy address failed to explain how those initiatives would be continued or expanded.

He further rejected suggestions that the State’s finances were in poor condition when the UDF assumed office. Citing Reserve Bank-approved figures, he claimed that the LDF government had left behind ₹5,429 crore in the State treasury and accused the new government of attempting to create a misleading narrative about Kerala’s financial position.

The former Chief Minister also alleged that several promises made by the UDF in its election manifesto were absent from the policy address, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to implementing its pre-election assurances.

On national politics, Pinarayi accused the BJP-led Central government of using central investigative agencies to target opposition parties. He alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was being misused for political purposes and criticised the Congress for what he described as its inconsistent stand on the issue.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman