Congress calls Modi's Wayanad visit a 'photo-shoot' after Centre fails to release funds for landslide-hit region

Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP government at the Centre on Monday came under attack from the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front and opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front in the Kerala assembly for delay in announcing assistance for the landslide hit Wayanad.

The Congress even accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of carrying out a mere 'photo-shoot' at Wayanad during his visit as the promised assistance by the Centre is not being announced — this despite Modi's statement, after visiting the landslide-hit areas, that the Union government would generously extend assistance to the affected.

The Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to expedite assistance for rehabilitation of the landslide-hit people of Wayanad

Congress MLA from Kalpetta in Wayanad T Siddique, who moved an adjournment motion, said that the landslide hit people of Wayanad were asking if the Prime Minister had come to Wayanad for a photo-shoot. Despite the Prime Minister's assurance not even a single penny was given by the Cntre for relief and rehabilitation of the landslide hit people of Wayanad, he claimed.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan lamented over the delay by the Union government in announcing an assistance package for Kerala even after the state has submitted detailed proposals.

He also expressed hopes over the interventions of the High Court on the matter. The Chief Minister said that the state government was making all efforts for proper rehabilitation of the landslide-hit people. He also hailed the support of Opposition parties in the relief and rehabilitation work.

Meanwhile, the Opposition also criticised the state government for stopping the search when 47 persons are still missing, following the landslide.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan pointed out that the Karnataka government had carried out a 72-day-long search for a Malayali truck driver and a few others who went missing following the Shirur landslide. But the search at Wayanad lasted only for 14 days. He slammed the government while urging that the search be resumed.