In the wake of widespread criticism that the Union Budget 2026-27 ignored Kerala’s key demands, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state has shifted the focus to the implementation of centrally approved projects, alleging that delays and inaction by the state government have hindered development.
BJP Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to accusations of Kerala being “neglected” in the budget by asserting that the Centre has in fact announced numerous schemes and projects for the state over the past decade, but many have not been executed on the ground. He highlighted that instead of claiming exclusion, the state leadership should explain why it has not implemented initiatives already sanctioned by the Union government.
Chandrasekhar pointed to delays in land acquisition and other procedural hurdles as reasons why certain projects, including the long-anticipated AIIMS proposal, have stalled. He reiterated that Central schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Ayushman Bharat were intended to benefit Kerala residents, but progress has been slow due to state administrative lag.
The BJP leader argued that merely announcing projects in the budget is not enough; the responsibility lies with the state government to implement them efficiently and to collaborate with central authorities for timely execution. Chandrasekhar also suggested that development in Kerala would accelerate only if a “double-engine government” — BJP rule at both the Centre and in the state — is in place, enabling smoother coordination and execution of policies.
His comments come amid sharp political exchanges between the BJP and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), with both sides debating the state’s development record and the real reasons behind stalled projects. While the BJP accuses the state government of inaction, opposition leaders continue to criticise the budget for not allocating specific new projects for Kerala.
News as reported
