New Delhi: The Kerala government will continue to focus firmly on the social sector and reprioritize funding for various activities, its Finance Minister KN Balagopal said on Sunday, as the state's ruling Left Front seeks to strengthen its reach after of the poor results in the Lok Sabha Polls.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state managed to win only one seat even though more candidates were expected to win in the elections and in the 2019 parliamentary elections, the front had also won only one seat.
On the election result, Balagopal, a senior leader of the CPI(M), which leads the LDF, said there were many reasons, including political factors and governance issues caused by the Centre's financial approach towards the State.
Kerala is facing a liquidity crisis and has asked the Center for a special package of Rs 24,000 crore, among other demands. The state government has flagged a easing of financing and borrowing restrictions central to the financial challenges it faces.
When asked if there will be a course correction after the election results, Balagopal replied: "We will reprioritize our activities."
He said the focus on the social sector would remain strong and financial priorities would be examined.
For example, if a project has not started, then the government could pick it up a year later. "Whatever we have to spend, we will spend," he said in an interview in the national capital.
Responding to a question about criticism in various quarters about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government and functioning, Balagopal said: "There is a very concerted effort to defame the CPI(M) and the Left...we will discuss the performance of the game". activities, everything we have to change for greater relief to the people, we will do that.
"At the same time, you have to understand that there is a massive campaign against the leadership, naturally, they will target the top leaders first... we have to campaign among the people. Why is it coming now..."
While the LDF won one seat in the parliamentary elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 18 seats and the BJP won a Lok Sabha seat for the first time.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state managed to win only one seat even though more candidates were expected to win in the elections and in the 2019 parliamentary elections, the front had also won only one seat.
On the election result, Balagopal, a senior leader of the CPI(M), which leads the LDF, said there were many reasons, including political factors and governance issues caused by the Centre's financial approach towards the State.
Kerala is facing a liquidity crisis and has asked the Center for a special package of Rs 24,000 crore, among other demands. The state government has flagged a easing of financing and borrowing restrictions central to the financial challenges it faces.
When asked if there will be a course correction after the election results, Balagopal replied: "We will reprioritize our activities."
He said the focus on the social sector would remain strong and financial priorities would be examined.
For example, if a project has not started, then the government could pick it up a year later. "Whatever we have to spend, we will spend," he said in an interview in the national capital.
Responding to a question about criticism in various quarters about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government and functioning, Balagopal said: "There is a very concerted effort to defame the CPI(M) and the Left...we will discuss the performance of the game". activities, everything we have to change for greater relief to the people, we will do that.
"At the same time, you have to understand that there is a massive campaign against the leadership, naturally, they will target the top leaders first... we have to campaign among the people. Why is it coming now..."
While the LDF won one seat in the parliamentary elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 18 seats and the BJP won a Lok Sabha seat for the first time.
