'Blatant Overreach': BJP Slams Vijayan Govt Over Appointment of 'Foreign Secretary' In Kerala

BJP slammed the Kerala government over appointing a ‘Foreign Secretary’ in the state on Saturday. BJP state president K Surendran aimed at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and said that the Marxist veteran should not consider the southern state as an independent country.

BJP Chief said that External Affairs falls in the domain of the Centre and the state government’s move to intervene in it sends a bad signal to the country.

He also questioned if CM Vijayan was trying to establish Kerala as a separate nation.

A scathing attack from BJP came after the LDF government in Kerala gave IAS officer K Vasuki, an additional charge of matters connected with ‘External Cooperation’.

Surendran termed the handing over of charge of External Cooperation to Vasuki as the appointment of a “foreign secretary of the state”.

He contended that it was “unconstitutional” and a “flagrant violation of the federal principles”.

“The appointment of an IAS officer as ‘Foreign Secretary’ in Kerala by CM Pinarayi Vijayan is a blatant overreach and a violation of the Union list of our Constitution. The LDF government has no mandate in foreign affairs. This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent. Is CM Pinarayi Vijayan trying to establish Keralam as a separate nation?” BJP Chief wrote on ‘X’.

Vasuki was by a government order dated July 15 given the additional charge of “the matters connected with the External Cooperation”.

The July 15 order further said that the General Administration (Political) Department would deal with the subjects related to external co-operation and would assist Vasuki till alternate arrangements are made, reported PTI.

“The Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, New Delhi will support the officer in the matters of External Co-operation, to liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs, Missions and Embassies etc,” the order said.