Thiruvananthapuram: The debate on the flood relief in the assembly on Wednesday turned out to be a fight on which front is soft on the Union government led by the BJP.
The adjournment motion moved by V. D. Satheesan was voted out even as the Opposition walked out.
Saji Cherian of the CPM began it all saying that the motion is silent on the Centre not providing adequate funds for the flood relief.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala shot back saying that it was the chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, who was close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said the opposition was ready for a joint movement against the Centre for getting the promised compensation.
Mr Vijayan in his reply said that he welcomed the change of stand of the opposition who agreed to move jointly against the centre's neglect.
He said the Centre's stand against the financial aid from the UAE had resulted in a loss of over Rs 1000 crore.
If the UAE helps, other countries like Saudi Arabia would have followed. Industrialist Yusuffali conveyed the UAE decision, and the Prime Minister had even tweeted welcoming the promise. However, later they changed stand.
He reminded Mr Modi receiving foreign aid when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.
Earlier, Mr Cherian had alleged that the UDF tried to sabotage the flood relief activities along with the RSS affiliated employees unions.
Raju Abraham of the CPM alleged that the only role of the UDF was to pose for photo shoots.
O Rajagopal of the BJP said that the Centre would provide Rs 2500 crore. George lauds CM
Pinarayi Vijayan got an unexpected support from P.C. George, one of his most vocal critics, during the debate on flood relief in the Assembly.
Mr George said that the chief minister, who was to leave for treatment in America even cancelled it and worked round the clock from his office. ''The Opposition should have stood by the chief minister at such a juncture. I have been one of the most vocal critics of the chief minister. I am also supporting the BJP on the Sabarimala issue. However, I cannot refuse to state a fact which was very much evident to me,'' said Mr George.
