UDF Govt Undermining Public Services, Development in Keralam: CPI(M)

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan on Friday accused the UDF government in Keralam of stalling development projects, weakening public healthcare and education, and pursuing policies aligned with the Union Government's corporate and Hindutva agenda.

Addressing a press conference after the party's state committee meeting, Govindan said the government was weakening institutions and initiatives established during the previous LDF regime and warned that this would adversely affect the state's development.

"The UDF government is adopting measures that implement the corporate, Hindutva and authoritarian tendencies being pursued by the Central government," he said, alleging that the government's policies were undermining the state's development.

Criticising the proposed restructuring of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), Govindan said the institution had supported projects worth around Rs 1 lakh crore, covering roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure across the state.

"KIIFB has played a major role in Keralam's development," he said, adding that projects worth an estimated Rs 90,562 crore had been taken up through the fund.

Govindan alleged that the government's move to restructure KIIFB, based on a report by a committee headed by Sudha Pillai, would stall several development projects.

Disputing the committee's assessment of KIIFB's liabilities, Govindan alleged that the report presented figures without adequate examination.

He rejected allegations that KIIFB had acquired land at five times the market price, saying land acquisition was carried out by the government under the 2013 land acquisition law.

Govindan accused the UDF government of weakening public healthcare and paving the way for privatisation.

He said the share of patients using government hospitals had risen from 33 per cent in 2016 to 48 per cent in 2020 under the LDF government.

"Even paracetamol tablets are not available in some government hospitals," he alleged, claiming that medicine shortages and frequent transfers of doctors and other healthcare staff were affecting services.

He questioned the inclusion of former Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Deepak Singhal in a health task force, citing alleged corruption-related concerns, and demanded an explanation from the government.

On the controversy surrounding medicines supplied to children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Govindan said the concerns raised by parents required clear answers from the Health minister.

"Why were medicines supplied to hospitals carrying the label 'for clinical trials only'," he asked, questioning why parents were reportedly asked to return the medicines urgently if they were safe.

He asked whether an expert committee had warned that bioequivalence testing or clinical trials were incomplete and whether parents had been informed of any such concerns.

Govindan alleged that the Kerala Medical Services Corporation had not carried out quality testing of the medicines and questioned the time taken to complete the tendering process. He also alleged that special concessions had been given to a company.

"Who will take responsibility if the children suffer adverse effects," he asked, demanding that the government answer the questions raised by parents.

He said the decisions and file movements relating to the issue had taken place under the present government and accused the Health minister of shifting responsibility to the previous LDF administration.

Govindan alleged irregularities in the allocation of additional Plus One batches in schools. Citing admission figures for the 2026-27 academic year, he said 64,625 seats remained vacant after the first round of admissions, including 36,506 in government and aided schools.

He claimed that 16,136 seats remained vacant in districts where additional batches had been sanctioned and alleged that the allocation of 120 batches, including 80 in aided schools, was part of a corruption network.

On the State Waqf Board, Govindan criticised the government's decision to dissolve and reconstitute the board before the previous body's term ended, with IUML leader M C Mayin Haji appointed as chairman.

He alleged that the new composition had triggered objections among Muslim organisations and could lead to tensions around places of worship.

He accused the police of using force against student and youth protesters and alleged that the government was moving towards a "police state".

He compared the handling of protests in Keralam with the Centre's response to demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

On the alleged CMRL bribery case involving Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and his family, Govindan accused the state government and central agencies of pursuing a politically motivated case against the CPI(M) leader.

"This is not about the CMRL case. The issue is to make Pinarayi Vijayan an accused and politically attack the CPI(M)," he alleged.

Referring to the Supreme Court proceedings, Govindan said the court had pointed to inconsistencies in the handling of the case and questioned the haste shown by the Enforcement Directorate.

He said the party would challenge the matter both politically and legally.

Govindan expressed support for protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Centre of pursuing an anti-democratic agenda and suppressing dissent.

He said CPI(M) leaders, students, youth, workers and other sections of society were participating in protests against the Centre's policies and the electoral roll revision exercise.