UDF's Finance White Paper Benefits Corporate Interests: M V Govindan

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) State Secretary M V Govindan has described the white paper tabled by the UDF government in the Kerala assembly as a document designed to benefit corporate interests, calling it evidence of Chief Minister V D Satheesan's extreme right-wing neoliberal outlook. He said the white paper's silence on central government neglect of Kerala was a direct consequence of the UDF's alignment with the BJP, and that both parties effectively share the same policy framework.

M V Govindan said the white paper itself has forced the opposition to concede that the state treasury was not in the dire condition they had claimed. He accused the document of paving the way to hand over Kerala's public assets — including KSRTC, the Water Authority, and KSEB — to corporate players such as Adani and Ambani by framing public sector institutions as liabilities. He alleged that plans were afoot to sell off land and assets of public sector undertakings in collusion with the real estate lobby, privatise the energy and minerals sectors, and even sell Cochin Airport. He also said the real purpose of the Chief Minister's undisclosed Mangaluru visit was to facilitate the handing over of coastal resources and black sand deposits under the cover of the Blue Economy initiative.

On KIIFB, Govindan said the white paper acknowledges the institution's role in delivering ₹1.10 lakh crore worth of infrastructure investment, yet ultimately moves to dismantle it — a contradiction he described as revealing. He also reiterated that the white paper was prepared by outsiders rather than Finance Department officials, which he called a violation of the oath of office.

Custodial Death Demands Probe

He also raised serious concerns over what he described as a rising pattern of lockup and prison violence in the state. He demanded a thorough investigation into the death of 31-year-old Resh Babu, who was arrested in case number 671/2026 registered at Thrissur East Police Station. Resh Babu's father had gone to the police station and pleaded that his son, who had mental health challenges, should not be jailed and should instead be referred for psychiatric care — a standard protocol in such cases. The request was ignored and Resh Babu was taken to jail without any mental health assessment. He subsequently lost consciousness, was admitted to the Medical College ICU on a ventilator, and died on June 3. Doctors confirmed the presence of head injuries. M V Govindan demanded that those responsible for his death be identified and held accountable.