BJP accuses Kerala UDF government of bowing to external pressure on Central schemes

The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused "external forces" of dictating policy decisions in the V.D. Satheesan-led United Democratic Front government in Keralam, with party national secretary K. Surendran singling out the Indian Union Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami for allegedly blocking Central schemes.

PM SHRI stalled in Kerala alone

Speaking to reporters, Surendran cited the stalled PM SHRI project as evidence of this pressure, claiming Congress-ruled States across India have implemented the scheme but administrative roadblocks persist only in Kerala due to IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami influence. He extended the charge to all Central government initiatives, alleging a pattern of opposition by the IUML and "fundamentalist forces" in the State.

'Vande Mataram' omission questioned

The BJP leader also flagged the Independence Day observance, asserting that while Congress governments elsewhere rendered the full version of Vande Mataram, the Satheesan administration did not sing even two stanzas. "Does the Indian National Congress have a different policy for the State of Keralam?" Surendran asked.

UDF mirrors LDF, says BJP

Turning to the Exalogic investigation, Surendran said Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan had spent five years claiming the BJP was helping the CPI(M) bury the case, but now remained silent after the Enforcement Directorate uncovered "serious and startling revelations". He described the UDF government as "a carbon copy" of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front administration.

The BJP leader said his party believes Vijayan—currently Chief Minister in the outgoing LDF government—has no right to continue as Leader of the Opposition, noting that even the CPI(M) has stopped defending T. Veena, Vijayan's daughter, following fresh findings in the Exalogic case. This contrasts sharply with earlier ED raids on Vijayan's Thiruvananthapuram residence, when even the party's national leadership took to the streets in protest, he added.

Source: The Hindu