Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Friday came down heavily on the Narendra Modi and Pinarayi Vijayan governments, accusing them of following policies that created social tension.
Addressing a public meeting organised by the Kerala Congress (M) to mark the conclusion of the month-long Kerala Yatra of its vice chairman Jose K. Mani here, Mr. Chennithala said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had let down believers through the manner in which he handled the Sabarimala issue.
‘Divide all policy’
The main achievements of the Modi government was to divide all sections of the people and economically exclude various segments such as farmers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled the country for Adanis and Ambanis, he said.
He criticised the State government for discontinuing the Karunya Benevolent Fund, formulated and implemented by K.M. Mani during his term as Finance Minister in the previous United Democratic Front government.
The UDF’s main agenda was to oust Narendra Modi and the Sangh Parivar from power, he said. He released the Development Manifesto, a document prepared by Mr. Jose K. Mani on the basis of his Kerala Yatra.
Loan waiver
Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani criticised the Modi government for its failure to waive loans taken by small farmers and for reneging several of his promises.
The State and Central governments had undermined the price stability fund he had launched while he was the Finance Minister. He wanted the State government to announce support price for agriculture produce on the basis of production cost.
Mr. Jose K. Mani’s Kerala Yatra trundled into Thiruvananthapuram amidst distractions caused by reports about an inner party rift related to the party’s Lok Sabha seats.
Senior leader P.J. Joseph did not attend the valedictory, though several other members of the Joseph group shared the dais.
In his reply speech, Mr. Jose K. Mani said that his yatra, launched from Kasaragod on Janaury 24, had succeeded in creating the right vibes for ousting the Modi government, which had divided the country even in the name of food preferences.
Farm sector neglected
He criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan government for neglecting the farm sector.
The MP said the right to earn a decent living from farming should be made a fundamental right.