Kochi: Independent Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar came down on politicians who dismissed the idea of new political parties entering Kerala assembly.
He said that for the past 65 years, the state has been hearing only two versions, that of the UDF and the LDF, and the people should take "great offence" for not being provided with an alternative.
"We should not ban some parties from entering the assembly. If you bring in alternative views, you actually enlarge the view, especially when the state is feeling the impact of global economic crisis like the economic meltdown in the Gulf," said Chandrasekhar.
He was delivering a speech on 'Elections 2016 - Opportunities and Challenges for Kerala Economy' organized by Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kochi on Tuesday.
Speaking on what the future economic model should be, he said, "We need to be living in an economy which is growing and sustainable".
He added that the state should focus on expanding tourism, investment driven technology sector, private investment in startups and organize the unorganized sector and provide them access to capital through national programmes like Mudra banks.
Chandrasekhar said the state had a defunct agricultural economy, absent manufacturing sector and a weak services sector. He said Kerala missed the first and second wave of IT investment.
"But we cannot afford to miss the third wave by way of startup initiatives and the possibilities in aerospace sector." On education and employment Chandrasekhar said, "There is nothing cruel than educated youth not being able to find employment".
"The Middle East countries want domestic consumption to increase. They will put restriction on remittances and they will want people to spend there," he said.
On the state's liquor policy, he said prohibition would lead to crime, illicit liquor and spook the economy.
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