Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Chandrasekhar Highlights Tenfold Rise in Kerala Railway Funding
Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Kerala received Rs 372 crore for railway development in 2014.
He linked that amount to the Congress-led UPA government.
He said Kerala will receive Rs 3,795 crore for railways in the 2026-27 financial year under the current Narendra Modi-led government.
That is described as a tenfold increase.
Chandrasekhar said this happened even though the BJP has only one MP from Kerala.
He also said railway projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore are being carried out in the state.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the funding figures one day before Chandrasekhar’s remarks.
Chandrasekhar used the figures to argue that the NDA government delivers development.
He also criticised the Congress and CPI(M), which dispute the political framing of the comparison.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised the Congress-led UPA government for allocating only Rs 372 crore to Kerala railway development in 2014.
He said railway funding increased to Rs 3,795 crore for Kerala in the 2026-27 financial year under the Narendra Modi-led government.
Chandrasekhar described the increase as tenfold, despite the BJP having only one MP from Kerala.
He said railway projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore are currently under way across the state.
Chandrasekhar accused the Congress and CPI(M) of vote-bank politics while praising the NDA government’s development record.
- Who
- Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar made the criticism; Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the funding figures.
- What
- Chandrasekhar contrasted Kerala’s reported railway allocation of Rs 372 crore in 2014 with Rs 3,795 crore in the 2026-27 financial year.
- When
- Chandrasekhar’s remarks were reported on Tuesday, after Vaishnaw’s announcement the previous day; one report is dated September 22.
- Where
- Kerala, India.
- Why
- Chandrasekhar said the figures showed increased railway investment under the Narendra Modi-led NDA government and criticised the former UPA government’s record.
BJP and NDA position
Congress and CPI(M) position
Railway investment record
BJP and NDA position
Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the increase from Rs 372 crore in 2014 to Rs 3,795 crore in 2026-27 as evidence of substantially greater railway investment under the Modi-led government.
Congress and CPI(M) position
The reports do not provide a response from the Congress or CPI(M) to the funding comparison or Chandrasekhar’s criticism.
Political interpretation
BJP and NDA position
Chandrasekhar said the NDA government was delivering development and safeguarding the interests of all Malayalees.
Congress and CPI(M) position
Chandrasekhar accused the Congress and CPI(M) of vote-bank politics; the articles do not include their response to that accusation.
- 2014 railway allocation
- Rs 372 crore for Kerala, according to Chandrasekhar and Vaishnaw.
- 2026-27 railway allocation
- Rs 3,795 crore for Kerala.
- Reported increase
- Described by Chandrasekhar and Vaishnaw as tenfold.
- Projects under way
- Railway projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore across Kerala.
- BJP representation
- Chandrasekhar said the BJP has only one MP from Kerala.
- Former government criticised
- The Congress-led UPA government, which Chandrasekhar said was supported by the CPI(M).
- Political criticism
- Chandrasekhar accused the Congress and CPI(M) of continuing vote-bank politics.
