THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared Kerala as India’s first ‘extreme poverty-free’ state in the assembly on Saturday. The Chief Minister made the announcement using Rule 300 during a special session of the Assembly on Saturday, which is Kerala Piravi Day (the day marking the birth of the state).

Meanwhile, the Opposition boycotted the House and walked out. The boycott was based on allegations that the numbers were botched and that the Assembly session was convened in violation of the rules.

Minister MB Rajesh harshly criticised the opposition boycott, saying that history would judge this opposition for being unable to bear Kerala’s historical achievement of eradicating extreme poverty.

The Chief Minister made the announcement by enumerating the achievements of t

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