After Karnataka, Kerala Braces For Showdown With Centre In Delhi: Who Is Supporting & Why?

After Karnataka, it is the Kerala government's turn to protest against the Centre's alleged neglect towards the southern state in financial matters.

The members from the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led government will participate in a sit-in in Jantar Mantar on Thursday which will be held at 11 am.

Why is there a protest?
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has slammed the Centre for curtailing its right to borrow money for developmental activities at a time when the state is facing a financial crisis. Days ago, the Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution asking the Centre to "desist from the move to slash down the state's borrowing limit and withhold various grants to the state".

"This agitation is intended to safeguard the constitutional rights of all states, not merely Kerala's. The aim of this struggle is not to triumph over anyone, but to secure what we rightfully deserve instead of surrendering," the Kerala CM said in Delhi according to a statement issued by his office.

Who will join the protest?
Left-front ministers, legislators, and parliamentarians from Kerala will actively partake in the protest. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced his support for the protest. "Fascist BJP will never be able to extinguish the flame of state autonomy... Our voice will not rest until we establish cooperative federalism and win State autonomy," the Tamil Nadu CM said in a social media post.

The DMK MPs will join the protest wearing black t-shirts. "DMK MPs, who will wear black shirts and agitate against the Centre's attitude towards Tamil Nadu, will also participate in the protest to be held by the Kerala Cabinet in Delhi on February 8," Stalin said.

Several leaders from the RJD and NCP are expected to attend the protest.

However, the Kerala Opposition party UDF had declined to take part in the protest by saying it does not agree with the Left narrative blaming the Centre for all of the state's financial problems.

It has blamed alleged mismanagement in tax collection, gold sales, and challenges related to receiving its share of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) are the reasons for Kerala's financial distress.

On the other hand, the lawmakers and members of parliament from Karnataka, including ministers from the government led by Siddaramaiah, organized a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi today. They have demanded the central government address the reported losses amounting to Rs 1,87,000 crore that the state allegedly suffered during the five-year tenure of the 15th Finance Commission.