Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday urged the Centre to declare Kerala a drought-affected state.
He said a high-level meeting of ministers and government officials would be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to discuss the “unprecedented” drought conditions prevailing in many parts of the state.
Chandy, who is in the midst of the May 16 Assembly poll campaign, said the government has got permission from the Election Commission to deal with the drought situation.
“Drought has become a major issue. I am cancelling my election campaign programme and going to Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow to chair a meeting convened to discuss drought issue. Our demand is that Kerala should be declared as a drought-hit state,” he said.