Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 21 -- CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary MV Govindan on Wednesday strongly criticised union Minister Ramdas Athawale for inviting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), terming the remarks politically immature and contrary to constitutional principles.
Govindan said Athawale's statement, suggesting that Kerala would receive more Central assistance if the Chief Minister aligned with the NDA, amounted to an indirect threat and reflected a poor understanding of India's federal structure.
He asserted that Central funds are a constitutional right of states and not a political favour to be exchanged for allegiance.
Responding to Athawale's claim that the NDA was open to welco...