Centre has significantly increased allocations for Kerala in Union Budget: Nitin Nabin

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Saturday (February 7, 2026) said the Union Budget 2026 has brought substantial gains to Kerala, with a sharp increase in the State’s tax devolution and Central grants, besides major allocations for infrastructure and railway development.

He was speaking at a discussion on the Union Budget organised by BJP Intellectual Cell here. Mr. Nabin said Kerala has received special consideration in railway development, including the allocation of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains.

On Kerala’s development, Mr. Nabin said the Union government is guided by Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Antyodaya, which focusses on serving the last person in society. Benefits for agricultural sectors such as cashew and cocoa would reach Kerala, he said.

He said Kerala’s share in tax devolution has increased by 33%, amounting to around ₹8,973 crore, while Central grants doubled from ₹13,000 crore to ₹26,000 crore.

“The Centre shows no parsimony when it comes to development of Kerala,” he asserted.

Highlighting welfare schemes, Mr. Nabin said 1.55 crore beneficiaries in Kerala are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 85 lakh people have Ayushman Bharat cards, 28 lakh farmers benefit from PM-Kisan, and over 10,000 Jan Aushadhi centres are functioning in the State. He also said the Centre is strengthening coastal shipping and inland waterways, which would provide economic support to the coastal State.

Reviving cultural heritage

Mr. Nabin said the Prime Minister’s efforts to revive cultural centres such as Kashi and Ujjain have boosted tourism significantly, and similar support for Kerala’s heritage would energise the local economy. He reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to protecting Kerala’s cultural heritage, including the sanctity of Sabarimala.

Expressing concern over radicalism, Mr. Nabin said Kerala is passing through a difficult phase that has impacted local businesses. A secure environment is essential for business growth, and the BJP would not compromise on national security, he said.

‘BJP govt. in 2026’

Drawing a parallel with Bihar’s improved business climate under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he said the BJP aims to transform Kerala into an investor-friendly State. “Under Narendra Modi’s leadership, I assure you that a BJP government will be formed in Kerala in 2026,” he said, adding that the party is committed to building a developed Kerala as part of a developed India by 2047.

State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State general secretaries A.S. Suresh and Shobha Surendran, along with other party leaders and representatives from various walks of life, participated in the programme.