Centre Maintaining Anti -Kerala Stance: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the BJP -led central government of continuing its negative stance towards the state by rejecting Kerala’s request for additional rice allocation ahead of the Onam festival.

In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister called for a united protest cutting across political lines, urging all parties to come together against what he termed as the Centre's “anti-Kerala” approach.

Kerala had requested the Centre to provide five kilograms of rice per ration card to non-priority households at the existing tide-over allocation rate of 8.30 rupees per kilogram. The state had also sought the reinstatement of wheat allocations under the same category, which had been discontinued two years ago.

Pinarayi Vijayan emphasised that such allocations are essential to prevent price hikes in the open market during festive seasons like Onam. "Ensuring the availability of food grains to non-priority sections is critical to controlling market prices and supporting the public," he said.

The Chief Minister also cited health concerns, pointing out that a large section of the state’s population suffers from diabetes. “That’s why we are demanding the restoration of wheat allotments, to provide healthier alternatives to the people,” he said.

However, Vijayan noted that the Centre has “ruthlessly” turned down these reasonable demands. "These requests are made in the interest of the common people, and the continuous rejection reflects the Centre’s disregard for Kerala's needs."

Calling for collective action, he said, “To challenge this anti- Kerala policy, the people must rise in protest. This is not about party lines, it’s about standing united for the rights of the state.”