‘Reduce state taxes on fuel just as Centre did’: Rajeev Chandrasekhar to Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday called upon Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to reduce state taxes on fuel, following the Centre's decision to lower special excise duties. Speaking to the press, Chandrasekhar highlighted that the Union Government had slashed the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) hugely to shield the public from rising global crude oil prices.

Addressing the move, Chandrasekhar stated that the Union government reduced the SAED from ₹13 to ₹3 to protect consumers. He urged the Chief Minister to follow suit, stating, “Cut the state's taxes on petrol and diesel so that the benefit of the excise duty reduction can reach the consumers in the state."

Dismissing 'poll deals' narratives

The BJP leader, who is currently contesting the upcoming April 9 Assembly elections from the Nemom constituency, also dismissed allegations from the Congress and CPM regarding secret understandings with the saffron party. He clarified that "there is no such understanding”, adding that such claims are merely a "narrative being created to divert attention from the BJP-led NDA's poll campaign based on development”.

He further criticised the opposition's tactics, remarking, "There is no understanding, there is no deal. What has happened here is decades of misgovernance, injustice and negligence by the CPM and the Congress."

Allegations against opponents in Nemom

Turning his focus to his local rival, state General Education Minister V Sivankutty, Chandrasekhar claimed the LDF candidate was "scared of losing”, therefore, resorting to various tactics to win.

"One of them is the fielding of a CPM branch secretary named Rajeev from this seat as an Independent candidate,” he said.

"The other is appointing employees of the Labour Department as officials to assist the Election Commission's Returning Officers," Chandrashekhar alleged.

"This shows their fear of defeat," he added.

Chandrasekhar added that while he previously viewed the Congress as the "most shameless party”, Sivankutty was now "giving them competition”. He concluded by asserting that the CPM was resorting to controversies and "dummy" candidates because they lacked a track record of achievement over their 10-year rule.
PTI