Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Credit: PTI Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: The Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala seems to be setting the stage for the upcoming local body and the 2026 assembly election campaigns by carrying out a lavish state-wide celebrations to highlight the state's achievements in connection with the fourth anniversary of the second consecutive Left Democratic Front government led by Vijayan, as well as by clearing the social welfare pension dues to around 62 lakh persons from weaker sections.
Despite the acute financial crunch, around Rs 100 crore is reportedly being spent on the anniversary celebrations, and the social welfare pension dues for three months are being cleared in a time-bound manner.
Vijayan had already exhibited his social engineering skills during the 2021 assembly polls by retaining power for a second consecutive time despite serious allegations of links with gold and dollar smuggling rackets involving UAE consulate officials.
Exhibiting leadership skills during the time of Covid breakout, free food kit distribution during the lockdown down and building up rapport with various religious and social leaders were considered to have helped the Vijayan government retain power. Now, the CPM-led LDF has already announced the efforts for a third term under Vijayan's leadership.
The month-long anniversary celebrations that began from Kasargod in the north on April 21 aim at projecting the government's achievements and also boosting the leadership image of Vijayan.
As per reports, around Rs. 100 crore is being spent on the anniversary celebrations. Rs. 20 crore is for installing hoardings, which will obviously carry the image of Vijayan. Week-long exhibitions highlighting the government's achievements are also being organised in all districts.
The lavish spending for the government's anniversary is happening at a time when the government is rejecting the wage hike demand of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) who are now getting an average remuneration of only Rs. 232 per day. The ASHA workers have been on an indefinite strike in front of the state secretariat for the last two months.
Though the lavish spending on the anniversary celebration already invited criticisms from the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front, the BJP, as well as social activists, the government is ignoring those.
Meanwhile, the government on Thursday sanctioned Rs. 1,800 crore for paying one month's social welfare pension of Rs. 1,600 each to around 62 lakh beneficiaries.
Finance Minister K N Balagopal said that pending dues of two more months' pension would also be cleared in a time-bound manner during this fiscal itself. Up to five months' social welfare pension was due last year, owing to the financial crunch of the government.