Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal has announced a separate package for the development of three major cities—Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode. This initiative is part of the state's plan for the high-speed development of key urban areas. While presenting the last budget of the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan, the Finance Minister emphasised that if  major cities are not developed on time, it could put road blocks before the vehicle of development. A planning committee will be formed to oversee this initiative.

The budget session began at 9 AM, focusing on incentives to attract industrial investment.

Balagopal expressed strong displeasure and disappointment with the Union Budget for 2025-26, presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing the Centre of showing "political discrimination" towards states in its allocations. He stated that Kerala's justified expectations in certain areas had been completely overlooked.

He further criticized the Union Budget for failing to mention the Wayanad landslide tragedy, which had shocked the nation months ago, as well as the Vizhinjam port, calling this omission "utterly sad and condemnable."