AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that the Central Government is discriminating against Kerala, hence, not granting the amount sought for the rehabilitation of disaster-hit Wayanad. Speaking on Thursday, Venugopal, who is also the MP from Alappuzha, said that the two Union Ministers of State — Suresh Gopi and George Kurian — should answer whether they are satisfied with this approach of the Indian government towards the southern state.
The Congress leader then also took a dig at Gopi, asking whether he has the courage to hold a public meeting in the landslides-hit areas of Wayanad. Gopi has been holding public meetings in the state’s several parts.
Both the union ministers should clarify whether they have any sympathy, concern, or interest towards the disaster-affected people of Wayanad who are being "ignored and excluded", he questioned.
“Will both of them be ready to correct the central stand?" Venugopal said that the Centre's discrimination was evident from the fact that the state, which asked for Rs 2,219 crore for Wayanad rehabilitation, was allocated only Rs 260.56 crore, while states like Maharashtra and Assam got Rs 1,492 crore and Rs 1,270 crore, respectively, for reconstruction of flood-hit areas.
He alleged that the Modi government's policy was to politically and economically destroy the people of Kerala, as they do not show any inclination towards the BJP.
"The central government is economically oppressing the states that are in their opposition," he further claimed, and added that the Centre was trying to subvert the federal structure of India.
According to Venugopal, Wayanad residents have a right to the financial aid they are entitled to, and the Centre ought to handle the situation humanely. The BJP state unit, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the prime minister for the Rs 260.56 crore allotted for Wayanad rehabilitation, saying it was a huge relief for the impacted families.
BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekh said that not just Wayanad, but the flood problems in Thiruvananthapuram due to heavy rains were also considered by the Centre, and it was decided to include the state capital in the Rs 2,444 crore National Urban Flood Risk Management Plan.
"The central government has always taken steps to combine development and provision. We will definitely provide help and support to the places where it is needed. The BJP and the central government are always with the people of Kerala," he added.
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