Is CM Vijayan’s Record Just Broken Promises and Deception?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of broken promises plague CM Vijayan's administration.
- Excessive taxation has become a major concern for Kerala residents.
- KPCC President Sunny Joseph emphasizes the need for accountability.
- Key welfare promises have not been fulfilled.
- Public unrest is growing as elections approach.
Kochi, Oct 30 (NationPress) The administration under Pinarayi Vijayan has been characterized by “broken promises, deception, and indifference” towards the residents of Kerala, stated Sunny Joseph, president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and MLA, on Thursday. He accused the Left government of placing a heavy financial burden on citizens through excessive taxes while making empty announcements ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
Joseph dismissed the Chief Minister's recent welfare announcements as nothing more than a “political gimmick” designed to mislead voters.
“If the Chief Minister is genuinely committed, he should start by fulfilling the promises outlined in his 2021 election manifesto. For more than four years, the government has neglected these promises. Now, just before elections, it attempts to deceive the populace once again,” he remarked.
He highlighted that the government has failed to fulfill two significant pledges – increasing the social welfare pension to Rs 2,500 and establishing a rubber support price of Rs 250 per kg.
“Even when the former Kottayam MP Thomas Chazhikadan brought this up during the Nava Kerala Sadas, the Chief Minister chose to ignore it,” he asserted, insisting that both commitments should be enacted retroactively.
Joseph also criticized the government's “selective generosity”, noting that while it granted significant pay increases to PSC members and government pleaders, it has sidelined the needs of ASHA workers and delayed payments owed to state employees.
“The government has consistently raised land tax, building tax, permit fees, electricity and water tariffs, and even public transportation fares. An additional cess on fuel has further exacerbated the financial strain on ordinary citizens,” Joseph stated.
“These actions, alongside misguided fiscal strategies, have contributed to the escalating costs of essential goods,” he claimed, stating that the government's economic and administrative shortcomings have intensified public suffering.
He emphasized that despite ongoing protests from the opposition, both inside and outside the Assembly, the administration has failed to address the concerns of the people.