BJP Slams Kerala Government, Calls Welfare Schemes ‘Political Drama’ Amid ₹6 Lakh Crore Debt Crisis
BJP leader accuses CM Pinarayi Vijayan of “election time theatrics” and blames Left government for financial mismanagement ahead of Assembly polls.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 1: Highlighting Kerala’s mounting ₹6 lakh crore debt, BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday questioned the state government’s ability to roll out new welfare schemes amid what he called a “crippling financial crisis.”
Chandrasekhar accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of “suddenly remembering the poor” after spending nearly a decade in power, just months before the Assembly elections. He described the recent spate of welfare announcements as “election time theatrics” and “recycled promises” drawn from the CPI(M)’s 2021 election manifesto.
“The Chief Minister seems to have woken up from a long slumber in the final months of his tenure,” the BJP leader said, adding that last-minute welfare declarations cannot be seen as sincere governance.
He contrasted the state’s approach with the Centre’s consistent welfare initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing schemes like PM-KISAN and Ayushman Bharat, which he said were implemented from the first year of the Modi government.
Accusing the Left-led government of running a “scam driven economy,” Chandrasekhar alleged that funds meant for essential sectors were being diverted to cover other expenses.
“Money intended for healthcare is being used for pensions, funds for Scheduled Caste welfare are being siphoned off through corrupt intermediaries, and allocations for housing, water, and education are diverted to pay interest,” he claimed.
Chandrasekhar also warned that with Kerala’s debt burden at record levels, most of the new welfare schemes announced by the state were unlikely to be implemented. He accused the Chief Minister of preparing to “shift the blame to the Centre once again” when the promises remain unfulfilled.
Calling for transparency and accountability, he urged the Kerala government to fully implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme and provide free health insurance to all citizens above 70 years of age, if it truly aims to support the elderly and the poor.
Concluding his remarks, the BJP leader said that “political drama, PR exercises, and corruption do not bring real development,” adding that such actions insult the intelligence of the people of Kerala.
