Kozhikode, Aug 24 (IANS): The Kerala unit of the BJP on Friday said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) did not announce financial aid of $100 million (approximately Rs 700 crore) for the flood-ravaged state.
It demanded that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reveal the source who told him about the assistance.
Addressing the media here, state BJP chief P.S. Sreedharan Pillai said: "We want Vijayan to explain about this news and from where he received it. After the Centre expressed reservations in accepting the aid, a vicious smear campaign was unleashed against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Earlier this week at a press meet in the state capital, Vijayan spoke about the aid from the UAE, saying that the news was conveyed to him by Middle East business honcho, M A Yusuf Ali.
Pillai said that no central government, save Modi's, has extended so much help to a state.
"He came and assessed the flood situation. Despite bad weather, he got in a helicopter and surveyed the destruction. Such is his commitment," he added.
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