Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 February 2024
In response to the call issued by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) to observe February 8, 2024, as Kerala Solidarity Day, the Andaman & Nicobar State Committee of CITU organized a mass demonstration today in Port Blair. The demonstration aimed to protest the discrimination faced by the state of Kerala at the hands of the central government.
The event took place in front of the Port Blair Municipal Council in Aberdeen Bazar, where a significant gathering assembled to voice their concerns. B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary of CITU A & N State Committee, inaugurated the Mass Dharna, highlighting the alleged efforts by the BJP-led central government to destabilize non-BJP state governments across the country.
Chandrachoodan emphasized the discriminatory practices against Kerala, citing issues such as the allocation of funds, restrictions on state government loans, and unwarranted interference by the Governor. D. Ayyappan, Vice President of CITU A & N State Committee, further criticised the Modi government for what he described as harassment tactics against non-BJP state governments.
Ayyappan accused the central government of withholding rightful shares of taxes collected, targeting non-BJP states through agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax, and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He pointed out that several ministers from non-BJP states have faced legal action, contributing to what he termed as a threat to federalism under the current regime.
Senior leaders D. Laxman Rao and SP Kalairajan, along with Secretary of CITU State Committee, also addressed the gathering, expressing solidarity with Kerala and condemning central government actions. The event saw participation from a large number of workers representing various trade unions in Port Blair.
The demonstration underscored growing concerns among trade unions and activists regarding what they perceive as a trend of centralisation of power and discrimination against non-BJP governed states by the Modi government.