'Cheap PR work by CM': Kerala BJP says state govt trying to sabotage Vande Bharat Mission

As Centre's Vande Bharat mission is in progress evacuating Indian nationals from various parts of world, BJP has alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government is trying to sabot mission. BJP has decided to launch a one-week campaign against Kerala government's policy on expatriates. BJP state chief K Surendran has slammed state government stating that government is trying to sabot Vande Bharat Mission.

'Creating troubles for pravasis'

"Day by day Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is himself creating troubles for 'pravasis' whereas Central government is trying to bring back all 'pravasis' who want to return to Kerala while state government is blocking many measures. So, BJP is planning to have a series of agitations against this anti-pravasi policy of Kerala government," said Surendran.

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''Actually, state government initially sent a letter to Central government stating that before returning to state, people should undergo COVID-19 test in foreign countries. One more thing y demanded was use of PPE kits for passengers arriving. Both se demands were rejected by Centre," said Surendran.

"This is a cheap PR work by Pinarayi Vijayan. Everybody kws what y are doing in Vande Bharat Mission repatriation initiative. Day by day, he is creating lots of troubles. So, we are having a one-week-long campaign against state government's policy," he added.

Earlier, Kerala government imposed a set of new guidelines for expatriates from Gulf countries returning to state by Vande Bharat Mission flights and chartered aircraft, to which Ministry of External Affairs had clarified that state-specific protocols cant be implemented amid lockdown, adding that it will only allow protocols issued by Union Home and Health ministries.

COVID-19 situation in Kerala

Kerala had reported over a hundred COVID-19 cases for seventh consecutive day on Thursday, taking total number of infections in state to 3,876. 1,846 are active cases in state undergoing treatment whereas 2008 have been cured of virus. state has reported 22 fatalities due to COVID-19 as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

(With ANI inputs)

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