Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 1 (NationPress) - In a groundbreaking announcement coinciding with Kerala Piravi Day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan revealed that Kerala is the first state in India to eliminate extreme poverty, highlighting this as a pivotal moment in the state’s welfare journey.

This declaration was made during a special one-day session of the 140-member Kerala Assembly, convened at 9 a.m.

However, the occasion faced disruptions from opposition members of the Congress-led UDF, who chose to boycott the session, calling the announcement “a grand deception”.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan contended that the declaration was merely “a scripted publicity show”, pointing out that advertisements touting Kerala as poverty-free had already been published in newspapers prior to the Assembly meeting.

Opposition legislators accused the government of bypassing legislative processes and staged a sit-in protest at the Assembly entrance.

In response to the allegations, Chief Minister Vijayan remarked that the announcement had been planned for Kerala Formation Day, asserting that the Opposition’s reaction was a reflection of its “habitual negativity”.

“Labeling it a fraud is because they are accustomed to such tactics. The Left government stands by its commitments, which is part of our tradition,” he stated.

Vijayan characterized this achievement as “the dawn of a new era for Kerala,” reached through comprehensive public participation and detailed planning at the grassroots level.

Beneficiaries were identified through an inclusive process that engaged all segments of society, he noted, adding that tailored family plans were implemented to ensure lasting results.

According to official data, the state has earmarked Rs 60 crore in the 2025–26 Budget to bolster the anti-poverty initiative.

At the start of the program, 90.7% of rural households and 88.89% of urban households were living below the poverty line.

Through this initiative, 4,677 families have been provided homes via the Life Mission project, while 2,711 families received land for housing.

All beneficiaries have been assured of three meals daily, with the Chief Minister proclaiming that Kerala “now stands as a state where no family is hungry or homeless.”

After walking out of the Assembly, Satheesan, along with all opposition legislators, claimed that this announcement serves as a distraction from the ongoing Sabarimala gold heist case, reiterating their calls for the resignation of the Devasom Minister and the removal of the Travancore Devasom Board.

“It’s ironic that as Vijayan made this announcement, a report emerged of a poor woman dying of starvation in the state capital,”

Later in the evening, the same announcement will be reiterated at a public meeting where Vijayan will be joined by renowned superstars Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Kamal Haasan.