It is well established now that the floods in Kerala are the biggest disaster the state has seen in years. The death toll has crossed 400 and the catastrophic floods have rendered lakhs of people in 12 out of the 14 districts of the state homeless. The left cabal comprising of foot soldiers from Communist Party of India which is in power in Kerala have been alleging that the centre and the BJP-ruled states are not providing sufficient aid to the state in a time of acute crisis. This even when the centre has already allocated Rs. 600 crores towards Kerala as assistance and NDRF has successfully evacuated more than 15,000 people in the state. At this crucial point, an interview from Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan given to Economic Times has come like a breath of fresh air. CM Pinarayi Vijayan has lauded the relief work initiated by the central government led by PM Modi and has appreciated his positive responses till date. This interview by the Kerala CM and a CPM senior leader lays to rest all the accusations levied by the leftist cabal on the central leadership.
According to the email interview given to Economic Times correspondent Vasudha Venugopal, CM Pinarayi Vijayan has thanked PM Modi and the central government for the Rs 600 crore assistance which the centre has allocated to Kerala. In clear words the Kerala CM also thanked the Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Coast guards who have been working tirelessly to evacuate and provide relief to the people. Pinarayi Vijayan also mentions that people from all sections of the society have come together to help each other. This statement is a subtle hint of appreciation directed towards the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) which has jumped in the fray to provide relief to the people with gusto in the hour of need. Though the incumbent CM desisted from naming the organisation due to obvious political differences, it is nonetheless a huge symbol coming from a lifelong CPM leader. The incumbent CM of Kerala expressed his gratitude towards the central leadership in bold terms, “I need to make it clear in no uncertain terms that the Government of India was forthcoming and responded positively. PM Narendra Modi and Home minister Rajnath Singh visited the flood-hit areas and have been understanding the situation fully.”
Vijayan also seems hopeful that PM Modi and central government will adhere to the state’s requests for more assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction work to begin in the state once the situation normalises. PM Modi, according to Vijayan, was aware of the the reports citing the destruction in the state and responded positively to all the efforts needed by the state government. He also cited that he had been having multiple telephonic conversations with the PM regarding the crisis. He also goes on to add, “Due to the intervention of the Prime Minister, the cabinet secretary has been interacting with our team as well as other departments at the Centre on a daily basis. I do express my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister.”
Vijayan also put to rest the blame levied on the central leadership by Congress that the Rs 500 crore aid announced recently by the centre was not enough. Pinarayi Vijayan stated that this amount provided by the central leadership is more of like an advance and more aid would follow suit once the proper assessments of the damage is complete. Rebuilding the state from scratch will be a hefty task and Pinarayi Vijayan is assured that PM Modi and the BJP will stand with the people of Kerala at every step of rebuilding.
While Kerala fights and recovers from the ghastly floods which have wreaked havoc in the state, PM Modi has assured all the help the state wants from the country. It is noteworthy that PM Modi has an excellent track record for overseeing and initiating development work from scratch, he was after all made CM of Gujarat post the devastating Gujarat Earthquakes. Many areas of Gujarat had to be rebuilt from scratch and the speedy work which PM Modi did set a benchmark for development in the country. Kerala will recover and will once again occupy the position it previously held in the country with the foresight of PM Modi and the hard work of residents of the state.