Engage with GenZ, give them hope… they are depressed: Keralam CM Satheesan

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has urged the Central government to engage with Generation Z and provide them with hope, stating that the youth are "depressed" and "worried" for multiple reasons. These reasons include the changing job landscape and a perceived lack of opportunities. Satheesan made these remarks amid recent protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and the demand to reinstate eligible voters in the electoral rolls. These protests follow the youth-led agitation against the NEET paper leaks in June-July.

Satheesan, the first-time chief minister of Kerala, acknowledged a growing sentiment of anti-incumbency against the BJP government at the Centre. He expressed his party's intention to convert this mood into votes. While maintaining his ideological opposition to the BJP, Satheesan indicated that he would not be on a collision course with the Centre for the sake of it.

Regarding the BJP's allegation of a "foreign hand" behind recent protests, Satheesan explained that during his college days, such accusations were commonplace whenever governments or PMs were mentioned. Satheesan emphasized the need for the Central government to interact with Gen Z, who are currently experiencing a lack of hope and uncertainty about their future.

Satheesan also addressed the paradox of the Congress joining hands with the Left in the Centre while fighting them in the state. He noted that these entities were part of the INDIA front and were agitating together for a common cause. He further stated that it was natural for former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to be arrested in a joint agitation.

In response to the All India Students' Association's decision to include Neha Bora as a key speaker alongside Rahul Gandhi and exclude NSUI members, Satheesan emphasized that this was not an issue of a single party but a coalition of partners. He stressed the importance of accommodating all political and apolitical platforms when a leader is at the forefront of an agitation.

The Keralam government's decision to file FIRs against protesters was explained by Satheesan as a routine police action. He subsequently requested the quashing of all FIRs filed against the protesters. Satheesan denied any pressure from the IUML on his secular principles and affirmed that his party had taken a firm stand on secularism during the assembly elections. He also highlighted that the IUML has altered its stance and now embraces a secular approach.

Satheesan shared his interactions with the Narendra Modi-led Central government, indicating that he had not initiated a fight against the Centre. He affirmed that ideology would remain the basis for their conflict with the BJP and the Sangh parivar. Satheesan reaffirmed the principles of cooperative federalism and expressed his willingness to negotiate for the state's due share, should the Central government discriminate against Keralam.

Faced with a fiscal crisis, Satheesan reported that 80% of the state's committed expenditure was covered by taxes, including salaries, pensions, and interest payments. The state's debt exceeded Rs 5 lakh crore. Despite limited tax potential due to GST Council decisions, Satheesan opted against increasing other taxes, instead opting for increased government spending.

During Onam, a significant fiscal stimulus was provided to the poor and lower middle class, resulting in increased business and the highest GST share in the state's history.