Chief Minister rejects central directive to display Modi's posters in ration shops

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared that Kerala would not comply with the central government's directive to display posters and banners of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in ration shops across the state. He denounced the directive as an election campaign tactic ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that the traditional ration system in Kerala should not be used for political purposes.

The state's Civil Supplies Minister, GR Anil, confirmed that the Center had instructed the Food Corporation of India and the Kerala Food Department to display over 14,000 posters and banners of the Prime Minister, along with setting up "Prime Minister's Selfie Points" at selected ration shops. However, Minister Anil stated that using the ration system for election campaigning was inappropriate. The Chief Minister vowed to inform the Central Election Commission about the matter, indicating a potential escalation in the dispute between the state and central governments.