Thrissur: Union Minister Suresh Gopi has hit out at those who, he alleged, carried out a “vicious political campaign” against him over the delay in disbursal of Central funds for Pulikali teams in Thrissur.
Gopi was speaking at a function in Thrissur where ₹24 lakh in Central assistance, which had been held up due to technical reasons, was distributed among nine Pulikali teams.
“I am not attending this function happily,” Gopi said, referring to the controversy surrounding the delay in releasing the funds. He alleged that some people had used the issue for political purposes and conducted a “vicious campaign” against him for something he had not done.
The Union Minister said the Central funds were not from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah or himself personally, but from the Government of India. He said there were specific guidelines and criteria for the release of Central funds.
Pulikali teams had earlier protested against Gopi over the delay in disbursal of the funds despite the announcement of the assistance. This had prompted the Union Minister to respond sharply.
“The Pulikali teams need not read and understand the guidelines for Central funds. It is the responsibility of officials in the Tourism Department and the District Collector to examine and understand them,” Gopi said.
He said the Central assistance was routed through the Tourism Department and that officials, including the District Collector and DTPC authorities, were responsible for processing it according to the prescribed guidelines.
Gopi also alleged that a political narrative had been created claiming that the guidelines were received only a day before the funds were to be released.
The Union Minister said he had contacted former Tourism Secretary Biju several times regarding the matter and had expressed his desire to be part of the Pulikali celebrations. He said he had called the Tourism Secretary around 25 times, pointing out that this was only the second Pulikali event being held since he became a Union Minister.
Gopi said the issue could not be placed before the Union Cabinet without a letter from the state government. He added that the Central government’s guidelines had been sent to the District Collector and the Tourism Department Secretary.
“If there was no lapse on the part of the officials, let the District Collector say so,” he said.
Gopi also criticised the failure to display the logo of the Central government despite the substantial financial assistance provided for the event. He said advertisements acknowledging smaller contributions were being displayed, while the Central government’s contribution had not been similarly acknowledged.
He termed this a lapse on the part of the government and said the funds were released after the lapse was acknowledged.
The Union Minister further alleged that the issue had been used politically during the local body elections, despite him not being responsible for the alleged lapses. Those who used the issue for political purposes should “do penance”, he said.
Gopi also accused a Kerala minister who had won from Thrissur of supporting the campaign against him.
“This is not about the intervention of a minister or an MP. It is simply the love of a son of the South for the cultural city of Thrissur,” Gopi said.
