Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 11 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of unjustly blaming the centre over the state's financial issues, stating that the NDA government provided funds worth Rs 3.2 crore in the past decade to Kerala.
Shah inaugurated the 'New India, New Kerala' conclave organised by Kerala Kaumudi on Sunday. Amit Shah said the conclave's vision is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Viksit Bharat' vision, adding that "the vision of a developed India passes through a developed Kerala."
Addressing the gathering, Shah noted the financial aid provided to the state under the UPA and NDA-led Central governments. He further blamed the Chief Minister for creating a false narrative that "the Prime Minister is against Kerala."
Shah also asserted that the CM should either find fault with the figures presented by the Home Minister or accept the government's failure.
"From 2004 to 2014, the UPA government gave Rs 72,000 crore to Kerala. From 2014 to 2024, Narendra Modi's NDA government gave Rs 3,23,000 crore, even though we don't have a government here... Yet Pinarayi Vijayan says that they are being treated unfairly. Pinarayi Vijayan ji, injustice was done to Kerala under your rule, not under our rule... He is trying to create a false narrative that PM Modi is against Kerala. I am telling Pinarayi Vijayan here that if there is any error or omission in my figures, you should correct it tomorrow; otherwise, accept that your government, not ours, did an injustice to Kerala. You should accept this. There should be transparency in public life. You cannot make accusations and then run away... What answer can you give? If you can refute my figures, then you must give an answer," Shah questioned.
He further stated that Rajeev Chandrasekhar will hold a press conference tomorrow at 4 pm, "if the CM responds," asserting this assurance that the CM will "not give any answer."
"...And I tell you that our Rajeev Chandrasekhar will hold a press conference tomorrow at 4 pm if you respond. But I am confident that Rajeev Chandrasekhar will not get a chance to hold a press conference because Pinarayi Vijayan will not give any answer," Amit Shah claimed.
Shah also addressed the shortcomings in Kerala's economic condition, stating that "a remittance-based economy alone cannot benefit Kerala."
"Today, many people, especially writers who have adopted leftist ideology, fail to see the shortcomings in Kerala's economic condition... But today I want to say very bluntly that those who are concerned about the overall development of Kerala should understand that a remittance-based economy alone cannot benefit Kerala in the long run. I welcome the remittances coming in, and I expect they will increase. However, this alone cannot ensure the development of every citizen of Kerala," Shah stated.
Moreover, Amit Shah claimed that the NDA would win the upcoming Kerala elections. Reflecting on the BJP's landmark victory in Thiruvananthapuram, Shah affirmed that "any party that crosses the 20% threshold doesn't take 5 years to reach 40%."
"When I say that the next government in Kerala will be an NDA government, a BJP government, it's very natural for you to have doubts... I've been a student of electoral statistics since I was 15... In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP got 11% of the vote in Kerala. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA got 16% of the vote in Kerala. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, we have reached 20%. There's a history in democratic politics across the country that any party that crosses the 20% threshold doesn't take 5 years to reach 40%; it jumps from 20 to 40," Shah noted.
"In these local body elections, we experimented by contesting every seat under the BJP and NDA symbols, and look at the results: for the first time, a BJP mayor is sitting in Thiruvananthapuram," he added.
Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the opening of a new front of resistance on Monday at Thiruvananthapuram, adding that a one-day Satyagraha will also be held, amid the state's opposition to the Centre's alleged financial blockage on the state.
In a detailed post on X, the Chief Minister called these the steps "against the ongoing financial strangulation by the centre".
"Kerala opens a new front of resistance on Jan 12th at Thiruvananthapuram against the ongoing financial strangulation by the centre. A one-day Satyagraha with mass participation will be held, marking the state's protest against the sanctions," he wrote.
He further painted a "bleak picture" of the alleged financial blockade, including reduced borrowing limits, IGST recovery, pending compensation for the state's development expenditure, and arrears on centrally sponsored schemes.
The Chief Minister concluded the post by stating that the party will resist the Centre's efforts to "stall Kerala's progress."