Kerala polls: Amit Shah targets LDF, UDF over Waqf issue; accuses Pinarayi govt of ‘rebranding’ central schemes
Addressing the NDA election rally in Ernakulam, Shah said the Center has made changes in the Wakf-related laws to curb irregularities. He claimed that around 400 acres of land belonging to around 600 Christian and Hindu families in Ernakulam was seized by the Wakf Board, but neither the LDF nor the UDF raised the issue.
Further sharpening his attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he accused the state government of rebranding centrally sponsored programmes. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching schemes and allocating funds, but the Kerala government is renaming them and presenting them as its own initiatives,” he said.
Citing examples, Shah claimed that the Centre-financed grain distribution, housing schemes and highway development projects were projected as state initiatives. He also said that despite full central funding for the NH-66 project connecting Talapady and Thiruvananthapuram, the state government received loans through promotional campaigns.
The Home Minister also claimed that funds allocated under the National Health Mission were not used effectively due to political considerations, reiterating that the BJP’s approach to governance is not based on “justice for all and appeasement for none”.
Referring to the action against the Popular Front of India, Shah said that the Center is acting decisively against organizations engaged in anti-national activities.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah criticized his remarks on fuel prices and accused him of making misleading statements during campaign speeches. These remarks come at a time when political activity is on the rise in Kerala ahead of the Assembly elections, with parties stepping up attacks on governance, minority outreach and development claims.
