SEVERAL I.N.D.I.A. bloc constituents on Thursday rallied around the Left Democratic Front Government of Kerala as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the Centre alleging democracy envisaged as a union of states is being “crippled” by its “undemocratic Union over states mentality”. While leaders from the AAP, the DMK and the NC were among those present, no one from the Congress was there. The Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala which was invited to join the protest had declined it saying it does not agree with the Left narrative blaming the Centre for all of the state’s financial problems.

 

Attacking the Centre, Vijayan criticised the “Union over states mentality” of the Centre, saying it is not only manifested in financial matters, but was evident in the functioning of governors in opposition-ruled states as well. “We have all come together to register our strong protest against this and to preserve the federal structure of India. Today we are marking the beginning of a renewed fight that would herald a dawn of ensuring equitable treatment of the States,” he said.