Congress, Left unite, say Centre playing politics by denying aid to Wayanad

Wayanad landslides became a topic of political contention, a day after the Minister of State for Home Affairs (MoS Home) rejected the petition that the catastrophe be classified as “national disaster.”
On Thursday MoS Home Nityanand Rai wrote to Kerala’s Special Representative KV Thomas that the July landslides in Wayanad could not be given the tag of national disaster.
This prompted several reactions from ministers in the Kerala cabinet, as well leaders in the Opposition. The Kerala government has accused the central government of a deliberate conspiracy to deny aid to the victims of the devastating Wayanad landslide. The landslide, which occurred in July, claimed over 230 lives, left 47 missing, and destroyed large sections of three villages in Wayanad.
Despite repeated pleas from the state, the Centre has refused to declare the disaster a “national disaster” and provide necessary rehabilitation funds.
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan criticised the central government for what he termed intentional neglect. “We are not begging for charity. We are asserting our rightful claim,” Rajan stated, dismissing the central government’s argument that sufficient funds exist in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He accused the Centre of misleading the public and taking a hostile stance against Kerala.
The minister also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Wayanad, failed to deliver any concrete relief, despite raising hopes. “The Centre has completely ignored Kerala’s repeated requests for justice,” he added.
The MoS home, in his letter, justified Centre’s decision stating that under existing guidelines, no calamity can be declared a “national disaster”. However, Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal lambasted this reasoning, calling it discriminatory. “The Centre has sanctioned huge sums to states with lesser disasters, yet Kerala has received nothing. This is gross injustice,” Balagopal stated.
Balagopal accused the central government of exhibiting enmity toward Kerala and its people. “Every day, the Centre needs to be reminded that Kerala is part of India. This political vendetta is stifling the state economically and politically,” he said.
The allegations gained political traction, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accusing the BJP government of playing politics. “This isn’t just negligence; it’s a shocking injustice,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a statement. She alleged that the Centre was withholding aid for political reasons, echoing similar actions during disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
State Congress President K Sudhakaran also condemned the Centre’s refusal to declare the landslides a national disaster. He termed the action discriminatory and politically motivated.
Sudhakaran alleged the political bias from the Centre was due to Wayanad’s association with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka. He pledged that the Congress-led UDF would organise extensive protests against what he termed a “betrayal”, demanding that the government approve a special relief package for Wayanad, asserting it as a rightful claim rather than charity.
The Kerala High Court also expressed concerns over the Centre’s inaction. The court directed the central government to clarify its position on relief funds, highlighting the perceived bias against Kerala.
Minister Rajan remarked that this issue goes beyond disaster relief, stating that federal cooperation between the Centre and states is a fundamental political value being flouted. “This erosion of federal values is unprecedented,” he said.
Kerala’s officials argue that the state has been disproportionately targeted, while other states have been prioritised. Priyanka Gandhi added, “The singling out of Kerala’s victims is unacceptable and unprecedented.”
As the Kerala High Court continues to monitor the case, the state government has vowed to intensify its fight for justice. “We will not accept this unjust stance,” Rajan declared.