Kerala govt's Nava Kerala Sadas kicks off in style; Opposition highlights 'extravaganza'

Manjeshwar: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and ministers inaugurated the ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ on a grand stage here on Saturday evening.   The meeting at Paivalike is chaired by Revenue Minister K Rajan. The Chief Minister and co arrived in a lavish Benz bus to the venue. Several videos of the ministers having a gala time inside the bus had surfaced online. The ministers were welcomed to the stage by placing a turban on their heads, they were given hampers as well.  

Ministers including K Radhakrishnan, K Balagopal, MB Rajesh, and PA Mohammed Riyas were among the attendees. 

‘Nava Kerala Sadas’  is the outreach programme of the government, where the chief minister and ministers will be travelling through all assembly constituencies of the state. It aims to highlight the achievements of the LDF government so far. Plans for a bright future for the state will also be discussed in the meetings. Pinarayi and his group of ministers will be touring 140 assembly constituencies in the state as part of the splendid programme.

Freedom fighters, young leaders, talented individuals from marginalised communities, and cine actors will attend the meetings at various venues. Counters will be set up at venues for receiving complaints from the public. Special counters will be put in place for senior citizens, women, and differently-abled people. Receipts will be provided for the complaints received and quick actions will be taken on those fronts.   
 
Opposition highlights 'extravaganza' 

A political controversy has erupted in Kerala over the event. The criticism of the opposition parties is over the cost part of the event. 

Opposition leader VD Satheesan asked how an "extravagant" event like "Nava Kerala Sadas" could solve the problems of the poor at a time when there is a financial crisis in the state. Rs 1.05 crore has been spent on the Benz bus to convert it into a caravan, the Opposition has alleged.  BJP leaders also criticized the government for this.

Satheesan also claimed that pension, medicine subsidy, farmer scheme, and Supplyco are disrupted due to the spendthrift attitude of the government.