Kerala rejects Centre's directive on Modi's photo at ration shops

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the directive was a move by the BJP government at the Centre to bolster its electoral chances, and would not be implemented in the state. He also said the matter would also be brought to the attention of the Election Commission.

Thiruvananthapuram: A directive from the Centre proposing the use of photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the establishment of selfie points at ration shops has been rejected by the left-front government in Kerala.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the directive was a move by the BJP government at the Centre to bolster its electoral chances, and would not be implemented in the state. He further announced in the Assembly on Monday that apart from informing the Centre of Kerala's disagreement with the directive, the matter would also be brought to the attention of the Election Commission.

Kerala had previously rejected a directive from the Centre to display the PMAY logo on houses constructed under the LIFE Mission scheme.

In addition to mandating the display of the Prime Minister's photo and the installation of selfie points in front of ration shops, the Modi government also decided to distribute bags featuring the Centre's logo. These measures were aimed at promoting awareness of the Centre's free ration schemes.