Kerala CM’s criticism of Centre amounts to admission of LDF’s failure, says State BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday (January 12, 2026) accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of misgovernance, fiscal mismanagement and deliberately misleading the public ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Chandrasekhar said the Chief Minister’s criticisms of the Central government for Kerala’s financial crisis amounted to an “admission of failure” after nearly 10 years in power.

“The Chief Minister has effectively admitted that his government failed to deliver, and is now blaming the Central government for lack of funds. The issue was never raised seriously during the last 10 years. It has suddenly become an issue after electoral setbacks and with Assembly elections approaching. The LDF government, which has ruled the State for a decade, should instead present a report card of its achievements rather than diverting public attention through false narratives,” he said.

The BJP leader also countered allegations of funds denial by claiming that during the rule of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (2004–2014), Kerala received around ₹72,000 crore from the Centre, whereas since 2014, under the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, the State has received more than ₹3.2 lakh crore.

Cites CAG observations

Besides, the State, he alleged, has failed to utilise and account for Central funds properly. Citing observations by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Mr. Chandrasekhar said more than ₹16,000 crore worth of Central schemes were stalled due to non-compliance by the State government.

“There is a process by which audits and utilisation certificates are mandatory. Funds cannot be released without accountability,” he said, while also alleging diversion of funds by the State government.

Mounting State debt

Highlighting Kerala’s rising debt, the BJP leader said the State’s total debt stood at about ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2016 when Mr. Vijayan assumed office, and has now risen to nearly ₹5 lakh crore. He also claimed that the State government had access to nearly ₹10 lakh-crore in receipts and borrowings combined over the past decade, but failed to deliver tangible outcomes.

“What did the people get in return?” he asked. He also alleged that Kerala now has the highest unemployment and inflation rates in the country.

He also claimed that despite massive spending, 54 lakh households still lack drinking water, contractors are owed nearly ₹6,000 crore, nearly 5.5 lakh people remain homeless, and 45,000 people continue to live in colonies without basic amenities.

Open challenge for public debate

Mr. Chandrasekhar also issued an open challenge to the Chief Minister for a public debate on Kerala’s economy, finances and governance record.

The BJP leader also criticised both the CPI(M) and the Congress over the arrest of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.

He alleged that the timing of the case was politically motivated and intended to distract public attention ahead of elections. He said the issue should have been addressed months ago if both parties were committed to the cause of ensuring women safety.