Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Minister for General Education and Labour, V. Sivankutty, launched a scathing attack on the Union Budget 2026–27, alleging that the Centre has once again sidelined Kerala and ignored the real concerns of common people. Reacting strongly to the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the minister said the document reflects political bias and a growing disconnect from the needs of states like Kerala.
In a sharp and sarcastic response on social media, Sivankutty shared a satirical visual accompanied by the Malayalam phrase (loosely meaning “a faint echo in the middle of nowhere”), symbolizing what he described as Kerala’s invisibility in the Union Budget. He mockingly remarked that the Budget seemed to have space for symbolic priorities but no meaningful allocation for ordinary citizens, workers, students, or public welfare, particularly in Kerala.
The minister alleged that public education, labour welfare, and social security sectors that directly affect millions were conspicuously absent from the Centre’s priorities. According to him, the Budget focused heavily on corporate-friendly reforms and selective infrastructure announcements while ignoring foundational needs such as government schools, public universities, and employment-linked welfare schemes. Sivankutty stressed that Kerala’s public education model, which has earned national and international recognition, deserved greater central support instead of neglect.
Sivankutty further pointed out that Kerala’s long-pending demands found no mention in the Budget. These include requests for a national-level AIIMS institution, enhanced rail and transport infrastructure, and a special financial package for the Vizhinjam International Seaport, a project of strategic importance to the country. He said the absence of such allocations exposed the Centre’s unwillingness to treat Kerala on par with other states.
Echoing the minister’s criticism, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also accused the Centre of adopting a discriminatory approach towards Kerala. The Chief Minister stated that despite Kerala contributing significantly to the national economy and social development indicators, the state continues to be marginalized in central fiscal planning. He described the Budget as a continuation of a pattern where Kerala’s developmental needs are systematically overlooked.
Political observers note that the criticism from Kerala leaders reflects wider concerns about fiscal federalism, with several states increasingly questioning the fairness of central resource allocation. Kerala’s leadership argues that states with strong social sector investments are being penalised, while political considerations influence budgetary decisions.
As debates over the Union Budget intensify across the country, Sivankutty’s remarks underline growing tensions between the Centre and opposition-ruled states. With Kerala’s leadership demanding greater equity, transparency, and respect for cooperative federalism, the Budget 2026–27 is likely to remain a flashpoint in Centre–state relations in the months ahead.