CPI(M) to switch to Kerala government. due to the SMA drug controversy

Accusing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of following the corporate Hindutva politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) state secretary MV Govindan said the government’s agenda to start privatization is being followed even in the health sector.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday after the CPI(M) state committee meeting, Mr. Govindan said that Health Minister K. Muraleedharan had failed to give parents of children affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) convincing answers as to why they were being given the drug meant for “clinical trials”.

Answers wanted

He raised six specific questions to the Minister of Health, including how drugs intended for clinical trials ended up in the hospital. “If the drugs are as harmless as the minister claims, why were they withdrawn? Were the parents of these children informed that bioequivalence studies were not done? Did the Medical Services Corporation carry out quality checks? Why were the tender clauses relaxed for one particular company? In case of side effects in children, who will be responsible? The CPI(M) has a long history of supporting generic drugs,” said Mr Govin, but the health minister insists he is providing answers.

He also trashed Mr. Muraleedharan’s statement that drug-related decisions were taken during the previous tenure of the LDF government.

KIIFB series

Mr. Govindan accused the UDF government of trying to sink the state’s development by dismantling the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

“Under KIIFB, development work worth ₹ 1,00,000 crore has been started. ₹ 6,670,000,000 has been spent in health sector, while projects worth over ₹ 25,000 crore have been taken up under PWD. The National Highway would not have become a reality if ₹ 5,580 crore was spent on school buildings. Due to this, hills and coastal highways have also been built. Central agencies have been trying to destroy KIIFB since the beginning to sink the development of Kerala,” he alleged.

Published – 23 Oct 2026 21:21 IST