UDF a threat to states secular fabric: Kodiyeri

KOTTAYAM: The UDF is posing a threat to the secular fabric by allocating portfolios on the basis of caste and religion, CPM Politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.He came down heavily on the UDF for allotting the fifth ministerial berth to the Muslim league, terming it as an undesirable way of resolving issues.He was speaking after inaugurating the SP office march organised by the LDF in protest against the police action towards the youth leaders a few weeks ago.Kodiyeri also scoffed at the UDF saying that the current cabinet was the biggest one in the history of the state.“A minister will cost an additional expense of Rs 7 crore to the public exchequer.  League’s fifth minister and the Chief Whip’s cabinet rank together cost an additional burden of Rs 14 crore to the state,” he said Kodiyeri pointed out that the UDF had justified the hike in the pension age to reduce the burden on the public exchequer.In fact, they cut it to meet the additional expenses incurred while creating additional cabinet berths.He said that 30,000 job opportunities were lost when the government decided to raise the pension age. Kodiyeri said the position of the state in law and order declined to fourth place after the UDF came into power. The government was recruiting people who obeyed the orders of the political leaders, he added.