The backlash against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha on the industrial climate in Kerala continued on Wednesday with Industries Minister P. Rajeeve accusing the Minister of insulting the State.

Ms. Sitharaman had spoken about the practice of nokkukooli (demand for compensation for notional works) and the alleged impact of communism on industry in the State.

Speaking to press persons here, Mr. Rajeeve said that Ms. Sitharaman’s blind anti-communist stance had led her to making anti-Kerala statements.

“She appears to have forgotten her position as a Union Minister, and has spoken like a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician. Everyone, irrespective of their politics, should take a stand against such anti-Kerala attitudes. Nokkukooli is not something which happens in Kerala now. Back in 2016, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called a meeting to put an end to the system. All trade unions have taken a clear stand against it,” said Mr. Rajeeve.

Ms. Sitharam should have explained why a Maharashtra Minister had to resign following disputes related to a wind power company, Mr. Rajeeve said, referring to Dhananjay Munde’s resignation following the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

In Andhra Pradesh, there was also an incident where the general manager of A.P. Rayons was shot dead. Such things should be investigated. There have been no such incidents in Kerala, he said.