New Delhi, The Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, spearheaded by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, organized a protest in New Delhi on Thursday to voice their concerns over the perceived financial neglect of the southern state by the central government. The demonstration aimed to highlight the economic challenges faced by Kerala and call for a more equitable treatment of states within India’s federal structure.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest saw the participation of Kerala’s Chief Minister, LDF MPs, MLAs, and senior leaders of the Left front. The demonstrators, donned in warm clothing to combat the cold weather of Delhi, marched from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar, carrying banners and placards criticizing the Modi government’s economic policies and their impact on Kerala.
During the event, Pinarayi Vijayan remarked that February 8, 2024, would be remembered as a significant day in the history of the Indian Republic, stressing the importance of preserving the federal structure of the nation. He criticized the central government’s approach towards opposition-ruled states and emphasized the need for a balanced relationship between the Centre and the states. “We have all come together to register our strong protest against this and to preserve the federal structure of India,” Vijayan stated, indicating the broader significance of the protest for state rights and autonomy within the Indian Union.
The protest also saw the support and participation of notable figures from other states, including Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, Tamil Nadu’s Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiagarajan, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also extended his support to the LDF’s cause, reflecting a collective opposition to the central government’s policies affecting state finances and autonomy.
The assembly of such a diverse group of political leaders at Jantar Mantar underscores a growing concern among some states regarding the centralization of power and financial decision-making in India, highlighting the ongoing debate over federalism and the rights of states in the country’s governance.