Both Centre, Kerala claim credit for evacuation of Indians from war-torn Libya

NEW DELHI: Who paid for the evacuation of Indians from war-torn Libya? The Kerala government and the Centre are fighting to take credit for it.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who is recuperating in AIIMS, felt compelled to engage Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy on the subject.
Chandy, smarting under PM Narendra Modi's comparison of Kerala with Somalia, told a rally in Thiruvananthapuram that it was the state government, not the Centre, that paid for the return of 29 Indians from Libya.
"Sushma Swaraj paid for the earlier evacuations. This time we have paid for their travel," Chandy told TV channels. "Ask those who have come back, they will tell you the truth," he added.

Swaraj tweeted in retaliation, "Mr Chandy - We evacuated thousands of Indians from Kerala, from Iraq, Libya and Yemen. Who paid for them?" In another tweet, she said, "Mr Chandy - You started this debate - as to Who paid? Not me. We always did this because this is our pious duty towards our citizens."
Earlier this week, PM Modi, campaigning in Kerala, announced that the Centre had rescued families stuck in Libya. "Our government has saved six families and evacuated 29 people. The Indian government is committed to working for people who go abroad to work, we have always tried to help them. It gives me immense pleasure and happiness to tell you that they are coming back and will be united with their families soon," he said at a rally.