Did not even mention name of Kerala in budget, state's hope for AIIMS dashed despite meeting PM: Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the central government is continuing its discrimination against Kerala even as it approves multiple AIIMS for various states. He alleged that the Centre, which praised Kerala's achievements in the economic survey ahead of the budget, did not even mention the name of Kerala in the budget. He said that this neglect by the Centre is extremely unfortunate.

“AIIMS has been a long-standing demand of Kerala. We had suggested four locations for setting up AIIMS, and we met the Prime Minister and the Health Minister several times. Each time, we return with the hope that it will be approved, but the result is always disappointment,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister also strongly criticised the Opposition. He said that while all political parties in other states come together to meet their regions' development needs, in Kerala, the Opposition opposes every development project. "The Congress in Kerala has become the B team of the BJP. They are not even willing to speak a single word about the neglect shown to Kerala in the Union Budget," he added.