'No dearth to extravagance, posh lifestyle'; Minister G R Anil's wife trains gun on CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a surprising development, R Latha, wife of Food Minister G R Anil came up with a scathing attack against CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Lathadevi, who is also a member of the state council, ridiculed how the state budget omitted the food ministry even after the minister wrote dozens of letters to the CM pointing out the dire straits.

Lathadevi said that despite the food ministry being neglected in the budget, there was no dearth of extravagance and posh lifestyle enjoyed by the chief minister. While another Council member VP Unnikrishnan criticized that crores are being spent on the Chief Minister's cattle shed and for the cows to listen to music.

The meeting criticised the finance minister for presenting a budget that was ill-prepared and avoided Supplyco, the government-owned company that was the catalyst for CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s victory in the 2021 assembly elections.

The meeting also raised concerns about how the budget was not discussed with other departments before the presentation, a deviation from the normally followed standard.

With the criticism burgeoning, state Secretary Binoy Viswam intervened in the matter and asked all members to follow stoicism until the elections were over. He also warned the criticism to not go overboard or allow it to be leaked to the media.

CPI also showed apprehension about CPM now endorsing foreign universities, which they earlier opposed tooth and nail. State Secretary Binoy Viswam said that he would bring the issue to the CPM's notice.