Kerala Says a Big No to Modi Selfie Points
N S Sajith
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KERALA chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, emphatically stated that the state would not permit the display of prime minister Narendra Modi's flex boards and selfie points at ration shops. Describing the directive from the centre to exhibit selfie points and flex boards at ration shops as an 'election stunt,' Pinarayi said the government would also consider to notify the Election Commission about this directive.
Addressing the Kerala legislative assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that the union government's directive was geared towards advancing the BJP's campaign in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He highlighted the long-standing robust presence of the public distribution system in the state and deemed the last-minute directive as unprecedented. Pinarayi asserted, "We will communicate to the union government that we will not be implementing this directive."
The union government resorted to this action under the guise of providing free rice to pink ration cardholders. Yellow and pink cardholders had been receiving free rice through the state government for the past seven years. This was purchased from the centre at an annual cost of Rs 300 crore. The state government has also been distributing ration rice to blue and white cardholders, without claiming it as a gesture of benevolence. The centre started distributing free rice for yellow cardholders from January 2023. Following this, the state government's seal was removed from the ration bill, and a new seal featuring the BJP's election symbol was added. Subsequently, a new directive was issued to install Modi selfie points. These proposed selfie points include a cutout of Modi and a banner with 'Modi’s guarantee' written on it.
Likewise, the centre insisted on placing Modi's picture on houses constructed under the LIFE mission, one of the state's flagship projects. Throughout, Kerala has maintained its stance, asserting that it will not allow such branding to undermine the pride of the house owners.
Kerala Says a Big No to Modi Selfie Points
N S Sajith
KERALA chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, emphatically stated that the state would not permit the display of prime minister Narendra Modi's flex boards and selfie points at ration shops. Describing the directive from the centre to exhibit selfie points and flex boards at ration shops as an 'election stunt,' Pinarayi said the government would also consider to notify the Election Commission about this directive.
Addressing the Kerala legislative assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that the union government's directive was geared towards advancing the BJP's campaign in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He highlighted the long-standing robust presence of the public distribution system in the state and deemed the last-minute directive as unprecedented. Pinarayi asserted, "We will communicate to the union government that we will not be implementing this directive."
The union government resorted to this action under the guise of providing free rice to pink ration cardholders. Yellow and pink cardholders had been receiving free rice through the state government for the past seven years. This was purchased from the centre at an annual cost of Rs 300 crore. The state government has also been distributing ration rice to blue and white cardholders, without claiming it as a gesture of benevolence. The centre started distributing free rice for yellow cardholders from January 2023. Following this, the state government's seal was removed from the ration bill, and a new seal featuring the BJP's election symbol was added. Subsequently, a new directive was issued to install Modi selfie points. These proposed selfie points include a cutout of Modi and a banner with 'Modi’s guarantee' written on it.
Likewise, the centre insisted on placing Modi's picture on houses constructed under the LIFE mission, one of the state's flagship projects. Throughout, Kerala has maintained its stance, asserting that it will not allow such branding to undermine the pride of the house owners.
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