Kerala HM flays own govt in presence of CM, draws rebuttal

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala today publicly criticised the development model of his own government in the state, embarrassing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who immediately countered the views.
Chandy and Chennithala, known to have not good relations, were participating in an event here on 'Kerala's growth and Equity: the way forward', when the recently-made Home Minister made the remarks.
"Kerala development model has lost its sheen and lost its colour... The new generation wants a different Kerala Development Model," Chennithala said in the presence of dignitaries including the Prime Minister's Advisor T K A Nair, former Cabinet Secretary and state Planning Board Vice Chairman K M Chandrasekhar.

"When we are talking about mega projects, when we are talking about big big investment, the prime concern should be the poor and vulnerable sections of the society," said Chennithala, who is also the chief of the Congress's state unit.
Chandy, the Chief Minister for the last three years, immediately dismissed the views expressed by Chennithala.
"The Kerala model of growth is widely appreciated by all including Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. Even though we are facing new generation problems, going by the achievements in education, macro economy, agriculture, consumer market and investment over the last year, Kerala emerges as the most improved big state...," he said.

"We have taken care to distribute the fruits of development to all sections of society and are specifically implementing policies to help and assist the weaker sections, differently-abled sections and those sidelined so far," the Chief Minister said.
Earlier, Chennithala also said that "Land Mafia" from outside Kerala was very active in the state and a new law should be brought to put restrictions in purchasing land in the state.
"People from outside Kerala....The land mafia...Is grabbing our land in a big way. ...There are restrictions in Goa, there are restrictions in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir for purchasing of land. Now time has come for a new legislation to have restrictions in purchasing land in Kerala," Chennithala said.