Why are CPI(M) hardliners afraid of a neoliberal economic advisor of the likes of Dr. Gita Gopinath

Thiruvanthapuram July 30:The CPI(M) has been relentlessly opposing the Modi government on its neoliberal  policies and blames inflation for it. That is why the CPI(M) reacted with raised eyebrows to the news of CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s economic advisor position going to neoliberal economic professor of Harvard ,Dr Gita Gopinath.

Gopinath is considered to advocate so-called neo-liberal economics while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that leads the Kerala government vociferously opposes such policies nationally.

Neither is the Left in Kerala impressed by Gopinath’s earlier association with the US government, World Economic Forum and International Monitory Fund—institutions not known for their support to socialist programmes.

Putting all controversies to rest,Dr Gita Gopinath on Tuesday said as economic advisor to the Kerala chief minister, she will merely provide advice and will not get involved in policy decisions.

She said her mandate as discussed with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is two-fold— first to respond to any requests from him for advice on Kerala’s economy and second to connect state departments to global knowledge leaders in sectors like public finance, management, entrepreneurship, labour and development economics.

Gopinath is a economist who supports the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

How can such an economist become financial advisor to LDF Chief Minister, Achuthanandan  asked. The CPI(M) veteran also wanted the party central leadership to discuss the issue and clear the air, sources said.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan defended Vijayan for the appointment and said it was with the consent of the party state secretariat.

“She was appointed as advisor after discussing in party state secretariat. No advisors would be appointed without the consent of the party,” Balakrishnan said in Kochi.

The Kerala  government can utilize the expertise of Gita Gopinath in getting foreign funding and World Bank aid for development of the state, Balakrishnan added.

The appointment of Gita Gopinath had triggered a row with Congress and BJP in the state hitting out at the Chief Minister for the decision.

The CPI(M) believe that their policies will be overshadowed by the neoliberal views of a Harvard professor, thus being ridiculed for the oppressive views that they have held in high regard about the economic policies of a state that does not have a  the operation of a welfare state .