The changed political situation at the national level was fully reflected at the MPs’ conference convened by the State government here on Friday with almost everyone present agreeing on the need for a joint effort to get the State’s due from the Centre.
Setting the tone for the discussion at the meeting, convened on eve of the budget session of Parliament, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy called upon the MPs from the State to sink their differences when striving to secure the State’s share from the Centre.
Stay unitedFormer Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who attended the MPs’ meeting after a long gap, pointed out that Kerala was a State that did not have any MP from the ruling parties at the Centre.
This called for greater care on the part of the MPs belonging to both the ruling and Opposition parties in the State, he said.
The Chief Minister said this would be possible only if the MPs from the State kept the interests of the State uppermost in their minds.
Political differences should be secondary to the State’s larger interests and there must be joint efforts to see that the Central government takes a favourable stand towards Kerala’s needs, most of which were already before the Central government.
Sea erosionSea erosion and destruction of farms by wild animals were two serious threats faced by the State.
Many farmers were suffering heavy damage on account of attack from wild animals. The State government would be able to help the farmers and people living in the coastal areas only with Central assistance, Mr. Chandy said.
Ministers and senior State officials attended the MPs’ conference.
