Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state had no other way but to rebuild Kerala and people should take up the challenge notwithstanding the unfriendly attitude of the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre.
The chief minister, who returned here after the five-day UAE visit, said the Centre's move against the state was evident from the denial of permission to 17 ministers to visit foreign countries. "We should be prepared to take up rebuilding as a challenge. We have to rebuild the state, there is no other way. I appeal to all people to contribute. All democratic forces should think about why the Centre has taken such a stand," he said.
The chief minister said the purpose of ministers' visit was explained during his meeting with the Prime Minister, in which chief secretary was also present. "PM's response was encouraging. He shared Gujarat experience how state's diaspora the world over came forward to contribute after earthquake. He also spoke about assistance received from various foundations. I got the impression that Centre was in favour of ministers' foreign trip.
"As per procedures, the chief minister's foreign trip has to be cleared by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). After the permission was granted to CM, everyone here believed that the go-ahead for ministers would follow. It was only on Tuesday, a day before my foreign tour, we were informed that the Centre had declined permission to ministers. Even calls from chief secretary didn't get any response," he said.
A BJP top leader had remarked that there was no need for ministers to beg all over the world. ''We are not begging. We are meeting our brethren to involve them in the rebuilding exercise. The state had played a role in making NRKs what they are today. At a time when state has suffered huge devastation, we need to rebuild with their help," the chief minister said.
Pinarayi said the BJP has not contributed to the state's social and cultural development in any manner. The present Kerala has evolved through social cultural movements, agitations and people's protests. The BJP has not participated in any of these movements. ''The people should think over why the BJP-led Central government is taking such a stand," the chief minister said.
