CM Pinarayi Vijayan Invites Opposition for Talks on Centre’s Reduced Borrowing Limit Amidst State’s Crisis

Amidst the escalating tensions between the Kerala state government and the central administration over a reduction in the state’s borrowing limit, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has extended an olive branch by inviting opposition leaders for a discussion. The online meeting, scheduled for Monday at 10 am, will include prominent opposition figures like V.D. Satheesan and P.K. Kunjalikutty. While the opposition initially hesitated to engage in a direct confrontation, the state government’s move is seen as an attempt to address the crisis and steer public attention towards the alleged discriminatory policies Kerala faces from the Centre. With the Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, the discussion could become a platform for both sides to present their perspectives on the economic challenges facing the state.

The opposition, while accepting the invitation, aims to spotlight governance lapses as the root cause of the ongoing crisis. V.D. Satheesan contends that the state government is trying to divert attention and mask its own shortcomings. Two orders issued by the Centre, reducing Kerala’s borrowing limit, have prompted the state government to approach the Supreme Court, seeking intervention to address the disruption in the distribution of welfare pensions. As the state seeks legal recourse, the political dialogue underscores the deepening divide between the state and central governments, with implications for the upcoming elections and the overall trajectory of Kerala’s political landscape.