Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declares Kerala extreme-poverty free; opposition stages walkout

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared Kerala as India’s first ‘extreme poverty-free’ state in the assembly on Saturday. The Chief Minister made the announcement using Rule 300 during a special session of the Assembly on Saturday, which is Kerala Piravi Day (the day marking the birth of the state).

Meanwhile, the Opposition boycotted the House and walked out. The boycott was based on allegations that the numbers were botched and that the Assembly session was convened in violation of the rules.

Minister MB Rajesh harshly criticised the opposition boycott, saying that history would judge this opposition for being unable to bear Kerala’s historical achievement of eradicating extreme poverty.

The Chief Minister made the announcement by enumerating the achievements of the government.

“We should only give promises that we can implement. The people of Kerala believe in the left government policies since we give only promises that we are sure of implementing.” Said CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make the official announcement at the Thiruvananthapuram Central Stadium at 5 pm today. Cine actors, including Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal, will be part of the event. Minister M.B. Rajesh will preside over the meeting.

Minister M.B. Rajesh, at a press conference yesterday, responded that a poverty-free Kerala became a reality through a four-year-long process. When the second government came to power, the first cabinet decision was to eradicate extreme poverty. A detailed roadmap was also released.