Centre accused of political bias in denying AIIMS to Kerala

Kerala's Health Minister Veena George on Monday accused the Union government of making a politically motivated decision to deny the state an AIIMS facility, even as BJP MP V Muraleedharan countered claims of bias in the Centre's allocation of the premier medical institution.

The controversy centres on the Centre's recent announcement regarding the establishment of new AIIMS across the country. George alleged that the exclusion of Kerala from the list represents a deliberate attempt to sideline the state despite its demonstrated healthcare infrastructure and capacity.

Muraleedharan defended the Centre's selection criteria, suggesting that the allocation was based on technical and administrative parameters rather than political considerations. The BJP MP indicated that states meeting the prescribed benchmarks were prioritized for the new facilities.

The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Kerala's Left-leaning state government and the Centre over resource allocation and development projects. Health infrastructure development has emerged as a key point of contention, with state leaders arguing that Kerala's advanced healthcare ecosystem warrants investment in premier institutions like AIIMS.

The Centre has not issued an official response to Kerala's allegations regarding the selection process for new AIIMS locations.