Kerala Opposition Leader Questions Budget Proposal Amid Corruption Allegations

Thiruvananthapuram, June 23: In a heated session on Tuesday, Kerala’s opposition leader, Pinarayi Vijayan, raised serious concerns regarding the state budget’s proposal to grant tax exemptions on low-alcohol beverages. He accused the government of facilitating corruption, leading to intense debates within the Kerala Assembly.

During discussions on a notice for a motion to suspend proceedings, Vijayan claimed that the proposal aimed to benefit a private liquor company unfairly. He stated that the budget’s inclusion of this tax proposal was intended to provide advantages to a specific private entity.

Vijayan emphasized, “This will create an opportunity for a private liquor company to earn substantial profits. This is the critical issue at stake.” He alleged that the proposal was designed to benefit a liquor company based in Karnataka, asserting that the tax cut was meant to favor this private enterprise.

He warned that the budget contained a proposal that could have severe implications for the state and urged Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan to accept the motion for suspension. However, the Speaker dismissed the motion, stating that the issue was part of the budget discussion and could not be raised as a suspension proposal.

Vijayan questioned the Speaker, “When a fair person like you is in the chair, can this be allowed?” Following the rejection of the motion, the opposition staged a vigorous protest inside the Assembly. Opposition members shouted slogans and entered the well of the house before eventually walking out.

Despite the protests, the Speaker remarked that monitoring and security personnel would not be summoned. He reiterated that the matter should be raised during the budget debate, assuring that the government would respond at an appropriate time.

After exiting the Assembly, K.N. Balagopal addressed the media, stating, “Our concerns about corruption are escalating, especially since this aspect has been removed from Assembly TV coverage. This is unprecedented.” The former finance minister further noted that during the previous LDF government’s tenure, proposals to produce alcohol from fruits and vegetables were halted due to potential social impacts.

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