Kerala BJP Chairman K Surendran (left) and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (right). (Photo: ANI)
The Government of Kerala has given additional responsibility to IAS Vasuki for matters related to external cooperation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday slammed the Kerala government for appointing the state's “foreign minister”. Targeting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BJP president Surendran said the Marxist veteran should not consider the southern state as an independent state.
The BJP president said external affairs fell under the purview of the Centre, and the state government's move to interfere in external affairs sent a bad signal to the country.
He also questioned whether CM Vijayan was trying to establish Kerala as a separate state.
The BJP has launched a scathing attack after the LDF government in Kerala filed an additional chargesheet against IAS officer K Vasuki in matters related to “foreign cooperation”.
Surendran referred to the appointment of a “Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs” by handing over responsibility for external cooperation to Vasuki.
He called it “unconstitutional” and a “flagrant violation of federal principles.”
“CM Pinarayi Vijayan's appointment of an IAS officer as the 'Foreign Minister' of Kerala is a blatant ultra vires and violates the Union List in our Constitution. The LDF government has no foreign affairs mandate. This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent . Is CM Pinarayi Vijayan trying to establish Kerala as a separate state? writes the BJP chief on 'X'.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan's appointment of an IAS officer as the “foreign minister” of Kerala is a blatant ultra vires and violates the federal list in our constitution. The SDF government has no foreign affairs mandate. This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent. Yes… K Surendran (@surendranbjp) July 20, 2024
According to the government order of July 15, Vasuki was charged for “matters related to external cooperation”.
The July 15 order further said that the General Administration (Political) Department will handle issues related to external cooperation and will assist Vasuki until alternative arrangements are made, PTI reported.
“The Resident Commissioner, Kerala House of Representatives, New Delhi will support the officer in matters of external cooperation and liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs, Missions and Embassies etc.,” the order said.
