THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling party and the opposition party are going to use the severe neglect shown to Kerala in the union budget as a political weapon in the local body elections to be held this year. They will protest strongly, including in Parliament. Union Minister George Kurien's statement that Kerala be declared a backward state will also be used to point against the center. Union Minister Suresh Gopi's controversial statement that the Scheduled Tribes Minister should be from a high caste will also be highlighted along with the budget neglect.

The protest will intensify over the center's neglect of the Vizhinjam project, Wayanad rehabilitation package, AIIMS, etc. The state government's main hope was the 24,000 crore package requested while reeling under a severe economic crisis. That was completely shattered.

The center ruthlessly rejected the demand to raise the borrowing limit of the State in a deserving manner and the plea to provide urgent assistance to rubber and paddy farmers. It is learned that the Chief Minister and other ministers will consider further steps about the budget neglect after they reach the capital. The Left Front will also launch an anti-centre campaign.

The Left will likely list out the neglect by the Centre in the coming local body elections and turn people's sentiments in their favor. The Congress will likely make the same move while also highlighting the anti-people policies taken by the state government.

Will protest in Parliament

The Congress MPs in Kerala are in the process of raising a strong protest in Parliament. The KPCC's stand on the issue will be decided today or tomorrow. The KPCC president and others have expressed their protest against the centre's neglect.