The Left parties have urged the Centre to reconsider its decision that the contribution made by the United Arab Emirates to Kerala cannot be accepted. UAE had offered to help the State with a contribution of ₹700 crore.
The CPI (M) said such a generous assistance underlines the special relations which the Gulf countries have with Kerala where lakhs of Malayalis are employed. “It is reported that the Modi government is going to decline the offer. This will be an erroneous stand which will harm the interests of Kerala. The Centre must view this offer in the specific context of the relations of the UAE with Kerala and accept the aid which will be routed through the central government,” an editorial in CPI (M)’s mouthpiece People’s Democracy said.
The National Secretariat of the CPI said condemned the move. “It is very strange to find the Narendra Modi government of taking a tradition practised for mere 15 years to stall the offer to Kerala which needs every pie from all quarters to rehabilitate, protect and rebuild the ravaged State. It is really a matter of shame for Modi who had received foreign money as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, when the State was hit by earthquake less than two decades ago, to deny the same relief to Kerala in the name of some ticklish tradition,” the CPI said.