Kerala CM Leads Day-Long Satyagraha Over ‘Economic Blockade’ Claim as Shah Rebuts With Funding Data

Overview

• The protest runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palayam Martyrs’ Memorial in Thiruvananthapuram with ministers, legislators and LDF leaders in attendance.
• Kerala alleges a Rs 17,000 crore cut to its borrowing space this year, including Rs 5,900 crore trimmed from a Rs 12,000 crore January–March window, plus Rs 965 crore withheld as IGST dues.
• The state also cites pending or denied borrowings and delayed releases, including about Rs 6,000 crore for highway land acquisition, Rs 3,300 crore in loans flagged over guarantees, and Rs 5,784 crore under centrally sponsored schemes.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejects the ‘blockade’ charge, contrasting Rs 72,000 crore transferred in 2004–2014 with Rs 3.23 lakh crore in 2014–2024 and listing allocations for infrastructure, roads, railways, airports, AMRUT, Smart Cities and Jan Vikas projects.
• Vijayan points to rising own revenue, higher per-capita income and a Debt–GSDP ratio below the national average, framing the protest as a defense of welfare and state fiscal rights.