Kerala CM meets PM; seeks release of Rs 2,220 cr for Wayanad landslide reconstruction works
New Delhi (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought the Centre's intervention on various issues, including the immediate release of over Rs 2,220 crore for Wayanad landslide-related reconstruction works and steps to improve the state's financial situation.
Briefing the media in the national capital, Vijayan said key issues were raised with the prime minister during the meeting.
Apart from funds for Wayanad relief works, the chief minister sought the central government's approval for setting up an AIIMS and increasing the state's borrowing limits.
During the meeting with Modi, the Kerala chief minister urged him to release Rs 2,221.03 crore NDRF (National Disaster Relief Fund) for Wayanad landslide-related reconstruction works.
There have been differences between Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front and the BJP-ruled Centre over funds for the Wayanad relief works. Many people died, and massive damage was caused due to the natural calamity in Wayanad last year.
Vijayan said he also sought immediate approval for establishing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Kinaloor in Kozhikode. It has been a long-standing demand to have an AIIMS in Kerala.
The issues related to lower borrowing limits and the financial woes faced by the state were also discussed by the chief minister with the prime minister.
Vijayan also shared a photo of the meeting with the prime minister on his X handle.
On his visit to the national capital, Vijayan also held meetings with Union ministers Amit Shah, J P Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Nitin Gadkari on Thursday.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
