CPI(M) State committee member and former Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh has accused the United Democratic Front (UDF) government of deliberately withholding funds meant for local self-government institutions, disrupting development activities across the State.Mr. Rajesh said here on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) that the Finance department, headed by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, was responsible for releasing funds to local bodies but was intentionally delaying the allocation. He claimed that more than 1,200 local self-government institutions in the State had been affected by the fund shortage.The CPI(M) leader said several welfare and development programmes, including anganwadi nutrition schemes and palliative care projects, were facing difficulties due to the financial crisis. The shortage of funds had also affected the daily functioning of local bodies, he said.Mr. Rajesh also criticised the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), alleging that the party was unable to take an independent stance within the UDF.“Just as Spain kept Lionel Messi under control, the Chief Minister has kept the Muslim League under control. The League has surrendered its backbone to Mr. Satheesan. Even the Muslim League Minister is not responding on this issue,” he said.Mr. Rajesh also attacked the UDF over the controversy surrounding the Democratic Youth Federation of India’s (DYFI) ‘pothichoru’ (packed meal) initiative. He alleged that the UDF was trying to bring politics into a social service activity.“Those who receive and eat the packed meals do not ask who provided them. DYFI is an organisation engaged in several social service activities,” he said. “Some people are trying to see politics even in food. It is like the approach of the BJP checking whether there is beef in the kitchen.” Published - July 21, 2026 07:57 pm IST