CM afraid of criticising the PM, allege UDF opposition in Kerala

The UDF opposition in Kerala has alleged that CM Pinarayi Vijayan is afraid of criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that Vijayan did not, even once, criticise the Prime Minister by name while presenting the resolution against the Centre’s farm bills. The opposition also lashed at Pinarayi Vijayan’s soft approach towards Governor Arif Mohammed Khan even when the Governor denied permission to convene the special assembly session, twice earlier.

Thiruvananthapuram:Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is afraid of criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State’s opposition alleged, here on Thursday.

The allegation was based on Pinarayi Vijayan’s presentation of the resolution seeking to scrap the Centre's farm bills during the special Assembly session convened here on Thursday morning.

The Congress said Pinarayi Vijayan has not once criticised the Prime Minister by name while presenting the resolution against the Centre’s farm bills. The opposition leaders spoke by completely accusing the CM and in total support of the resolution.

The opposition also lashed at Pinarayi Vijayan’s soft approach towards Governor Arif Mohammed Khan even when the Governor denied permission to convene the special assembly session, twice earlier.

Earlier, when the Governor denied permission to convene the house to discuss farm bills twice, the CM had written to the Governor and marked his protest. However, the Opposition alleged that the CM did not strongly criticise the Governor’s stand in the matter.

The Opposition said it is 100 days after the farm bills have been passed by the Centre that the State has decided to take a stand against it.

The Congress demanded not to limit all objections to the Centre’s farm bills in a resolution and urged the Government to mull over legislation to prevent the applicability of farm bills in the State. The Congress further told the Government to add the portion criticising the PM also in an amendment to the resolution.

However, the Chief Minister responded by rejecting all the allegations. Pinarayi Vijayan said, criticising the Central Government is equivalent to criticising the Prime Minister. And hence, such an amendment cannot be accepted.

When the ruling government with a majority in the House recommends convening an Assembly session, the Governor has the constitutional responsibility to agree. The Governor was reminded of this aspect, Vijayan said.

As the matter of passing a resolution against the Centre’s farm laws is of utmost importance, a conflict was avoided, the CM said.