File photoThiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Saturday said the Kerala government had not incurred any loss by the leak of the state budget before it was presented at the assembly by finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac.
Rejecting the Congress-led UDF opposition's demand for the resignation of Isaac after the highlights of the state Budget appeared on social media, he said "the government has no plans to heed their demand."
Kerala Budget leak: finance minister's aide removed
"It is not correct to say that the Budget was leaked. Actually not the Budget papers, but only its highlights meant to be given to media after the presentation had gone out. But it has not affected the secrecy of the Budget in anyway," Kodiyeri told reporters here.
"If the tax proposals in the Budget are leaked, it will have its impact in the share market. But here, no such things have happened and the government has incurred no loss," he said.
Isaac likely to stay on despite uneasiness in CPM, govt
The "over-enthusiasm" shown by a staff in the finance minister's office to give to media the budget highlights triggered all the confusion and he was immediately removed, the CPM leader said.
He also accused Congress-led UDF opposition of flaring up the issue.
When asked about the LDF's expansion plans, Kodiyeri said the ruling front has not shut its door to any party.
"There are parties like Veerendra Kumar-led JD(U) and RSP in the UDF fold. They are actually left parties. We consider Veerendra Kumar as our friend in the enemy camp. We want him to come back to LDF," he said.
