Minister Sivankutty calls ‘Keraleeyam’ exemplary while V.D Satheesan terms it wasteful extravagance

Thiruvananthapuram: Keraleeyam, the mammoth celebration announced by the Left government to showcase Kerala's progress, achievements, and cultural heritage to the world, had a vibrant start on Wednesday, the state's formation day.
Minister V Sivankutty, in a press release, claimed that ‘Keraleeyam’ witnessed the best opening ceremony in the history of Kerala. He said that thousands of people participated in the programme. 

“BJP and Congress fear the large influx of people to the ‘Keraleeyam’ programme. The march that BJP staged to the event venue was aimed at reducing the strength of the programme. This wish will never be allowed,” the minister said.

He added that Congress has also been making unfounded allegations against ‘Keraleeyam’ since the beginning. Sivankutty opined that the success of the programme will be the appropriate answer to both the opposing parties. 

Meanwhile, Opposition leader V.D Satheesan said that the government is indulging in wasteful extravagance in the name of ‘Keraleeyam’. He accused the Chief Minister and others for spending crores of rupees without a conscience when the state is facing the biggest financial crisis of the century. “Is this a priority?” Satheesan asked when speaking at a press conference in Kochi.