BJP flays Kerala govt over fund blockade claim, challenges CM to debate performance
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday accused the Kerala government of “challenging the common sense of people” by blaming the Centre for an alleged blockade of funds.
Chandrasekhar held a press conference in the wake of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and LDF leaders holding a day-long protest at the Martyrs Memorial in Palayam here, alleging a financial blockade by the central government against the state.
Chandrasekhar said the Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPI(M) government has been in power for nearly 10 years and should present a report card of its performance.
“A government that has ruled for 10 years should explain what it has done for the people. That is the basic courtesy in a democracy,” he said.
He alleged that the CPI(M)-led government has been trying to divert public attention for several years, and that its recent claims of the Centre's denial of funds surfaced only after its defeat in local body elections and with Assembly polls approaching.
“A government in power for a decade should present a report card of what it has done for the people. To say now that nothing could be done because the Centre did not give funds is challenging the common sense of the people,” he said.
Chandrasekhar invited the Chief Minister for a public debate on the government’s performance, including the state’s economic condition.
He claimed that during the Congress-led UPA rule at the Centre between 2004 and 2014, Kerala received Rs 72,000 crore, while under the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, the state has received Rs 3.2 lakh crore.
“When UPA was in power, Pinarayi Vijayan never protested. Why complain now after receiving four times more funds?” he asked.
According to him, Kerala’s debt stood at Rs 1.04 lakh crore when Vijayan became Chief Minister in 2016 and has now crossed Rs 5 lakh crore.
“After central assistance and borrowings over the last 10 years, the government has received nearly Rs 7 lakh crore. If we include revenue receipts, it goes beyond Rs 10 lakh crore. What is the outcome? Kerala has the highest unemployment rate in the country, nearly 30 per cent, and the highest inflation.”
He further claimed that the state government has not implemented central schemes worth Rs 16,000 crore, citing CAG reports.
“Even today, 54 lakh houses do not have a water supply. The government has no money to pay Rs 6,000 crore to contractors. About 5.5 lakh people are homeless and 45,000 families live in colonies,” he said.
Accusing the CM of building a “fort of lies”, Chandrasekhar said the BJP would dismantle it with facts and evidence.
“The last 10 years have been a decade of Kerala’s decline,” he said, repeating Vijayan’s 2014 remark against a former UDF Chief Minister and adding, “If you have any shame, please resign.”
Responding to a query on Kerala’s demand for more central funds, Chandrasekhar said it was only a “half-truth”.
“The Centre has clearly said funds are released based on a pattern. Utilisation certificates must be submitted and audits conducted,” he said, alleging that the audit of Supplyco has not been carried out for the past five years.
“They neither conduct audits nor submit utilisation certificates. Is the Centre a bank of comrades?” he asked, alleging diversion of funds.
Chandrasekhar claimed that Kerala has one of the highest debt burdens in the country, with around 92 per cent of the budget being spent on debt servicing and interest payments.
“Only eight per cent is left for development and welfare. This burden will be passed on to future generations,” he said, calling the state’s borrowing pattern a sign of “extreme incompetence”.
He also alleged that nearly 95 per cent of development work in Kerala is being carried out with central assistance and said the BJP plans to hold open discussions on the issue over the next 90 days.
Chandrasekhar further charged the UDF and LDF with "diverting attention from real issues" with the sexual assault case involving expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.
“Why was he arrested only now? Why was there a delay in registering the FIR? Both CPI(M) and Congress are playing politics to divert public attention,” he alleged.
He said Mamkootathil should have been booked and arrested four months ago and that no action was taken even after his expulsion from the Congress.
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Parents fear uncertainty after Karnataka govt rules out age limit relaxation for Class 1 admission
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has ruled out any relaxation of the minimum age limit for admission to Class 1 beginning with the academic year 2026-27. Following the refusal, a group of parents continues to press for leniency.
Parents of children who fall under the age of six by a small margin on the cut-off date have met Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and senior officials from the Department of School Education and Literacy to request an exemption. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the government will not change its decision, as reported by Deccan Herald.
According to the minister, children must be six years old by June 1 to be eligible for admission to Class 1. beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. He noted that the previous relaxation was a one-time measure that was clearly confined to the 2025-26 academic year.
“If such requests are entertained every year, it will never end. While granting relaxation last year, it was explicitly stated that it applied only to one academic year. From 2026-27 onwards, the rule will be strictly implemented,” Bangarappa was quoted by DH.
Parents argue that the rigid cut-off is affecting children who are short by a few days. One parent was quoted by DH as saying that his daughter would be 12 days short of completing six years on June 1. Such parents would be forced to repeat a year despite being academically ready. Others pointed out that children promoted from LKG to UKG during the 2025-26 academic year are now facing uncertainty over their transition to Class 1.
Few parents also recalled that earlier, admissions were allowed for children aged between five years and 10 months and six years. Parents saw it as a more practical approach, with children born in November and December being disproportionately affected.
The issue of age criterion goes back to a government order issued in July 2022. The order mandated six years as the minimum age for Class 1 admission. Parents of children already enrolled in pre-primary classes, protested against the order and the state deferred implementation, announcing that the rule would come into force from the 2025-26 academic year.
After renewed pressure, the government granted a one-year relaxation for 2025-26, citing the large number of students affected and in consultation with the State Education Policy Commission. While announcing the exemption, the minister had stated that no further concessions would be allowed.
