Thiruvananthapuram

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of creating a “false narrative” by blaming the Centre for the state’s financial difficulties, asserting that the BJP-led NDA government had provided Rs 3.23 lakh crore to Kerala over the past decade.

Shah was speaking at the inauguration of the ‘New India, New Kerala’ conclave organised by Kerala Kaumudi. He said the conclave aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, adding that “the vision of a developed India passes through a developed Kerala.”

Comparing financial assistance under successive central governments, Shah said the UPA government allocated Rs 72,000 crore to Kerala between 2004 and 2014, while the NDA government provided Rs 3.23 lakh crore between 2014 and 2024, despite the BJP not being in power in the state.

“Pinarayi Vijayan ji keeps saying Kerala is being treated unfairly. I say injustice has happened under your rule, not ours,” Shah said, challenging the Chief Minister to dispute the figures or accept responsibility. “If there is any error in my figures, correct them. Otherwise, accept that your government failed. There must be transparency in public life,” he added.

Shah claimed that BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar would address the media if the Chief Minister responded to his assertions, but expressed confidence that Vijayan would offer no rebuttal.

The Union Home Minister also flagged structural weaknesses in Kerala’s economy, arguing that excessive dependence on remittances could not ensure sustainable development. “A remittance-based economy alone cannot benefit Kerala in the long run, though remittances are welcome,” he said.

Reiterating confidence in the NDA’s electoral prospects, Shah said the BJP’s vote share in Kerala had steadily increased—from 11 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to 20 per cent in 2024. “There is a history in democratic politics that once a party crosses 20 per cent, it does not take long to reach 40 per cent,” he said, citing the BJP’s first mayoral victory in Thiruvananthapuram as evidence of changing political dynamics.

Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a new phase of protests against what he described as the Centre’s “financial strangulation” of the state. In a post on X, Vijayan said a one-day satyagraha with mass participation would be held in Thiruvananthapuram on January 12.

ALSO READ: Kashmir: Naranag offers ensemble of spiritualism, history, nature, and life

He alleged that Kerala was facing a financial blockade due to reduced borrowing limits, IGST recovery, pending compensation for development expenditure, and arrears under centrally sponsored schemes. Vijayan said the state would resist what he termed the Centre’s attempts to “stall Kerala’s progress.”