Thiruvananthapuram, June 20 (IANS) A political storm erupted on Saturday over the Budget proposal allowing a lower tax structure for low-alcohol beverages, with former Kerala Excise Minister and CPI-M leader M.B. Rajesh attacking the move and the present Excise Minister M. Liju dismissing allegations of a new liquor policy. Reacting to Rajesh’s charges, Minister Liju said the Budget announcement by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was only a financial exercise involving taxation of wine and liquor …
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Thiruvananthapuram, May 20 (IANS) For perhaps the first time in recent Kerala political history, the once tightly controlled inner circles of the CPI(M) have turned into arenas of open anger, frustration and brutal introspection, with former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and party state secretary M.V. Govindan facing an extraordinary wave of criticism across district committee and secretariat meetings following the Left Democratic Front’s crushing Assembly election defeat.What has especially…
Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (IANS) In a stunning electoral setback for the ruling Left, a majority of the outgoing Cabinet led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been voted out, signalling a decisive shift in Kerala’s political landscape.Of the 21 member Cabinet, 20 ministers contested the polls, and as many as 13 of them were defeated, marking one of the most significant reverses for an incumbent government in recent times.Even as the final tally has not been declared by the Election Commis…
Palakkad, March 28 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday firmly rejected allegations of a Rs 700 crore corruption move linked to the Cooperative Department’s proposed common software project, dismissing Opposition charges as politically motivated and devoid of factual basis. He also rubbished claims of a clandestine deal between the CPI(M) and the SDPI, calling them “deliberate misinformation”.Responding to allegations raised by senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala…
Kochi, March 11 (IANS) The Kerala government is set to boycott Wednesday’s National Highway inauguration programme to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ernakulam.This appears to be a fallout over the exclusion of State Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas from the event.Apart from being the Public Works Minister, Riyas is also the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.Chief Minister Vijayan and ministers M.B. Rajesh and K. Krishnankutty have decided not to attend the …
Thiruvananthapuram, March 7 (IANS) At a time when Kerala is grappling with a severe fiscal crisis, the Accountant General (AG) has flagged a serious violation involving two state ministers allegedly drawing “double benefits” in contravention of rules.The audit authority has found that Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh and Archaeology Minister Ramachandran Kadannappally have been receiving their full ministerial salaries while also drawing their parliamentary pensions.In a communicat…
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 (IANS) In a significant recalibration ahead of the Assembly polls, the CPI(M) has dropped actor-turned-Legislator Mukesh, a two-time MLA from Kollam, from its list of sitting members set to be renominated.The move comes even as the party clears a majority of key ministers, underscoring a selective approach to continuity and change.Among those who have received the green signal are senior ministers including M.B. Rajesh, Saji Cherian, O.R. Kelu, P. Rajeeve, K.N. Balagop…
Thrissur (Kerala), Feb 18 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan on Wednesday strongly refuted Kerala Excise Minister M.B.Rajesh’s claim that the Opposition was consulted before extending bar operating hours, terming the decision “mysterious” and politically timed ahead of elections.Satheesan said neither the government nor the Excise Minister had held any discussion with the Opposition regarding the extension or unification of bar timings.”If even the LDF convener or senior leaders w…
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 4 (IANS) The Kerala Assembly witnessed another disruption on Wednesday, similar to the previous two days, as the opposition and the ruling front engaged in a heated clash regarding the investigation into the alleged Sabarimala gold heist. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has accused the Pinarayi Vijayan government of trying to conclude the investigation before the upcoming Assembly elections.Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan led protests in the House, alle…
Thiruvananthapuram Feb 3 (IANS) The political temperature in Kerala rose on Tuesday after Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused ministers in the Pinarayi Vijayan government of repeatedly insulting Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during Assembly proceedings, alleging that the remarks were part of a calculated attempt to appeal to the BJP’s political base ahead of elections.The sharp criticism was triggered by comments made by State Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh, who allege…