Kottayam (Kerala) | CPI(M) leader V N Vasavan on Monday alleged that the Kerala government was aligning itself with the BJP and described it as a "VD-ED-Modi" alliance.
Speaking to reporters here, Vasavan alleged that the UDF government was functioning as a submissive servant of the BJP.
He claimed that the recent changes were part of a broader pattern of the UDF government aligning itself with the BJP.
"There is a VD-ED-Modi alliance after the government change. The combination is coming true. In all matters, the UDF government is becoming a submissive servant of the BJP," he said.
The reference was to Chief Minister V D Satheesan, the Enforcement Directorate and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vasavan alleged that Kerala was witnessing a steady surrender of the state's rights and autonomy to the Centre.
The CPI(M) leader also criticised developments in the higher education sector, alleging that the governor's interference in university matters paved the way for the interests of the Sangh Parivar.
"At MG University and other institutions, democratic rights are being curtailed. Even the right of organisations to put up posters and campaign boards is being restricted. The government is implementing decisions in universities in line with the wishes of the Sangh Parivar," he claimed.
He further alleged that appointments of Vice-Chancellors and administrative interventions by the Governor reflected ideological interference in university affairs.
"The Governor has been allowed to dominate university administration and impose decisions that advance Sangh Parivar interests. This is what we are witnessing day after day," he said.
Referring to the controversy over displaying boards on houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Vasavan alleged that the move was disrespectful to beneficiaries.
"Poor people are being humiliated. Kerala successfully implemented a housing programme by providing funds and ensuring construction without insisting on photographs of political leaders. Now, under pressure from the Centre, photographs of the Prime Minister are being displayed and the scheme is being turned into a political publicity exercise," he alleged.
Describing the move as "humiliating" for the poor, the CPI(M) leader alleged that the government was attempting to brand beneficiaries of housing schemes through political symbolism.
"That is why I describe the UDF government as a 'submissive servant'. It is increasingly yielding before the Centre instead of defending Kerala's interests," he added.
Vasavan also said the criticism against the award-winning Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) stemmed from a failure to recognise the organisation's achievements and global standing.
He was responding to remarks made by Public Works Minister P K Basheer in the Kerala Assembly, in which he said that no favouritism had been shown towards ULCCS and that he appreciated the works carried out by the cooperative society.
The UDF, while in the Opposition, had raised apprehensions over the government development works being awarded to ULCCS.
"The minister's remarks only reinforce what we had understood much earlier. As the minister in charge of the cooperative sector earlier, I am aware of the recognition that ULCCS has received internationally," he said.
Vasavan said the society had been ranked among the world's leading cooperative organisations by various global bodies.
