Pinarayi slams Cong., BJP for their positions on CAA
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has come down heavily on the stances adopted by the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Speaking after inaugurating a public meeting of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in connection with the Lok Sabha election here on Saturday, Mr. Vijayan said the BJP was creating a state of hostility and hatred in the country though the Act. He slammed the Congress for not taking a proper stance on the Act, adding that Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi failed to utter a single word on it. The Congress had always taken a stance in support of BJP in matters that adversely affected the country, from abrogation of Article 370 to the CAA, the Chief Minister said.
Now, voters of the State who backed the United Democratic Front in the previous parliamentary election were regretful as UDF MPs failed to stand up for the State. Kerala was the first State to raise its voice against the CAA, Mr. Vijayan said, adding that the Central government was seeking steps to destroy the Constitution and acting as a dictator.
Forest Act
Humanwildlife conflict is a major issue being faced by the people in the district. The Centre has said that the power to cull problematic wildlife lies with the State government. However, the amendments made by the former Congressled United Progressive Alliance government to the forest Act made the proceedings more complex and made the mission impossible. Though the State government had urged the Centre to revoke the provisions, they were still following it, Mr. Vijayan added.
The State government had submitted a proposal worth ₹620 crore to the Centre to address the issue but, the latter rejected it. “The government could not cull the wildlife, but it had executed all possible steps to mitigate the issue by ensuring fodder and water to the wildlife inside the forest, he said.
He inaugurated an LDF rally at Mananthavady.