New Delhi: Members of Parliament from Kerala staged a protest outside the Parliament on Wednesday, objecting to what they termed as an inadequate allocation of funds for their state in the Union Budget 2024. Kerala had anticipated a significant allocation for its health sector, but the actual provision fell considerably short.

MP N.K. Premachandran told reporters in New Delhi following the budget presentation that the "Naidu-Nitish Dependent Alliance" had shown favouritism towards Bihar and Andhra Pradesh to maintain its political power. He alleged that the alliance had completely ignored and discriminated against states governed by non-BJP parties, particularly Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

MP Shashi Tharoor also expressed discontent, stating, ""there is very little for most states. There were a few expectations for Kerala, especially in the health sector, but all of them have not been fulfilled. Each state has its own issue to point to..."

The protesting MPs chanted slogans, asserting that Kerala, too, is a part of India and deserved a fair mention in the Union Budget.

The decision to protest was made on Tuesday evening during a meeting of floor leaders from the INDIA bloc at the residence of Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, at 10 Rajaji Marg.

As part of the INDIA bloc's protest, Congress Chief Ministers have announced a boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27.