NEW DELHI: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said Kerala had no intention of launching a confrontation with the Central government, but warned that the position would change if the state faced discrimination. He was speaking at a discussion organised by a national media outlet in Delhi. He said the state would cooperate with the Centre on matters of governance. However, he added that the ideological battle against the BJP and the Sangh Parivar would continue.
Responding to questions about the controversy surrounding SMA medication, the Chief Minister alleged that foreign forces were making inroads into the healthcare sector. He said an international drug syndicate was operating in the sector. While a medicine manufactured by a foreign company costs Rs 6.5 lakh, the corresponding medicine from an Indian company is available for Rs 15,000, he said.
The Chief Minister said he faced no pressure from any political party, including the Indian Union Muslim League, in matters of governance. He added that there was no pressure from within his own party either.
Several senior Congress leaders are part of the Cabinet, and all matters are discussed with the party, he said. Policy decisions are taken only after collective discussions, he added.
Satheesan also said that if the Muslim League weakened in Kerala, extremist forces could move into the political space it left behind.
The Chief Minister said Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, would be welcome to present his photo exhibition, No Idea Is Final, in its entirety in Kerala.
Questioning the decision to deny permission to display photographs of protests at Bikaner House in Delhi, Satheesan said the issue concerned freedom of expression.
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