CM: global outcry shows growing threat to democracy

Pinarayi Vijayan kicks off Statewide poll campaign with public meetings at Neyyattinkara, blames NDA govt. for pursuing policies that have instilled fear psychosis among various sections

Drawing attention to the global outcry against threats to democracy and secularism in the country, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has blamed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for pursuing policies that have instilled fear psychosis among various crosssections.

Poll campaign

Kicking off his Statewide poll campaign with public meetings organised in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency in support of Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Pannian Raveendran on Saturday, the CPI(M) leader said the country, which has for long been regarded the bedrock of democracy, has come under international scrutiny for its deteriorating state of affairs.

“Organisations including United Nations and Amnesty International, and countries like U.S.A. and Germany and even those in West Asia with which India shares friendly bilateral relations have expressed concern over several recent developments that have cast a shadow over the country’s democratic values,” he said.

The Chief Minister was also critical of the economic policies of the Centre which, he alleged, led to the country’s slide in the global hunger index from 55th to 107th.

“However, Kerala presented a better alternative by ensuring the holistic development of all sections.

The State’s focus for the wellbeing of marginalised sections is evident from its social welfare pension schemes that has been supporting nearly 60 lakh people,’ he pointed out, while faulting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for accusing the State government of splurging money for such sections.Mr. Vijayan also lashed out at the Congress for purportedly remaining mute spectators towards the problems faced by Kerala and the discriminatory attitude meted out by the Centre. He blamed the UDF for failing to raise such issues in Parliament despite having 18 MPs in Lok Sabha.

S. MAHINSHA Over to campaign trail: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with LDF candidate Pannian Raveendran during a poll convention in Neyyattinkara on Saturday.