Do we really lack the lobbying power with the central govt?
I was wondering why we get very few important projects, budget allocations or importance from the Union Government. This was not the case with the BJP government either, and I am trying to understand why this has been the case with Kerala.
Even during the long years of Congress rule, we barely got what we deserved. During the first and second UPA governments, we had around 5 or 6 Union Ministers, including some in key positions. Still, we did not see much improvement in terms of major projects or allocations for the state. We also had a so called double engine government for several years, but even that did not seem to make a big difference.
The same thing can be seen in sports too. For example, KCA members have close ties with senior BCCI officials, but Kerala still seems to lack the lobbying power that some other states have.
So, as a federal state, what exactly are we lacking in terms of representation and influence at the national level?
Is it the number of MPs and Ministers we have, the portfolios they hold, the effectiveness of our political leadership, our lack of lobbying and networking in Delhi, or something else?
What could be the actual reason for this? Why have we not been able to convert our political representation and connections at the Centre into major projects, better budget allocations and greater influence?
Posted Sep 12, 2026, 8:22 AM UTC · locked