Finance Minister KN Balagopal said that the actions of some United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs are driven by malicious intent to obstruct funds for the sake of Kerala.
He cited a recent question raised in Parliament whether the implementation of Kerala’s extreme poverty eradication program would lead to a reduction in the quota of AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) card holders for the state.
Addressing a press meet at the Kollam Press Club on Saturday, he added that the strategy behind the issue was to alert the Union government to state welfare measures to somehow block the allocation of rice to poor sections. He also pointed out that the real objective of the UDF leaders was to create obstacles and prevent the state from receiving aid. Mr. Balagopal added that the UDF leaders were “cutting the very branch on which they are sitting” as their actions harmed the interests of their own state and its people.
Talking about the upcoming local body polls, he said the state government and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) are aiming to further strengthen the local government bodies by focusing on tourism development, job creation and support to the manufacturing sector.
“Government plans to launch joint development projects using land and other facilities owned by local bodies. As part of this, Kollam city’s first Information Technology (IT) Park has been set up at Kollam Corporation’s KMC Mall in Andamukkam. An IT Park will also be set up at the Kureepuzha Garbage Processing Plant after clearing the existing waste. Investment Funds Board (KIIFB) funds have been made available for upgradation of markets, LDF should continue to be in power to maintain social pensions and guaranteed homes for all who were homeless under the LIFE mission,” he said.
Published – 06 Dec 2025 20:51 IST
