Thiruvananthapuram, March 27 (IANS): Ramesh Chennithala, leader of Opposition and Congress veteran, here on Wednesday hit back at Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac, after he called Rahul Gandhi's minimum monthly income scheme (Nyay) a bluff.

"It is not like the KIIFB scheme of Issac. In fact, the KIIFB scheme, launched by Issac, is the real bluff and one which will never reach anywhere. Issac perhaps thought the scheme is similar to the utopian KIIFB programme, where he says with Rs 6,000 crore, he will implement Rs 50,000 crore projects," Chennithala said.

Chennithala slammed Issac and reminded him the about the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government coming out with the rural employment guarantee scheme.

"When that was launched, Issac asked from where will the money come. And just see how that programme has changed the lives of people. The minimum monthly income scheme is an extension of that scheme and it's one which is well grounded and hence Issac need not fear anything," said Chennithala.

The KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) was set up in 1999, but Issac modified its objectives with money for development to be raised from the market through bonds and from financial institutions to fund critical and large infrastructure projects in the state.

Issac said Gandhi's programme is similar to the one where Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced giving Rs 15 lakh to everyone, ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"The Gandhi who has been demanding tax on luxury goods used by the super rich to be reduced to 18 per cent, now says the Rs 72,000 annual payment to the poor will be raised from the rich. All these are nothing but just election gimmicks," he said on Tuesday.