G. Devarajan criticises LDF over unspent AMRUT funds, promises push for Keralam’s dues from Centre

G. Devarajan, the All India Forward Bloc Secretary-General and Keralam's special representative in Delhi, has criticized the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for mismanaging funds allocated under the AMRUT scheme. Speaking at a press event in Kollam, Mr. Devarajan stated that the State only utilized 25% of the funds sanctioned for the first phase of AMRUT. He warned that Keralam risks losing around ₹5,100 crore under AMRUT 2.0 due to the delay in submitting new project proposals.

Mr. Devarajan also highlighted his intention to leverage his administrative experience in Delhi to push for the State's rightful dues from the Centre. He asserted that the Centre is acting unilaterally by overriding democratic institutions and disregarding political opposition. This criticism extends to the Centre's unilateral approach in passing crucial legislation and altering election laws without bipartisan consensus.

Turning to national politics, Mr. Devarajan expressed concerns over the central government's interference in key appointments, particularly citing the Election Commission of India. He alleged that decisions are now being made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, effectively sidelining the broader political opposition. The issue of voting machine security has been a persistent concern, with nationwide protests aimed at preserving the integrity of the electoral process.

Addressing the longstanding pending AIIMS project for Keralam, Mr. Devarajan mentioned his discussions with Union Minister Suresh Gopi. He pledged to collaborate for a non-partisan solution to secure the AIIMS facility for the State. Additionally, he criticized the Central government's ongoing efforts to remove the names of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi from various national schemes. Mr. Devarajan viewed this as a troubling political trend that sets a dangerous precedent for the country.