Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the state government will move court against the notification of a ban on sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.
Vijayan told newspersons here that a special meeting of the cabinet will be convened here tomorrow to discuss the matter, followed up by a session of the State Assembly.
The Chief Minister had written to the Prime Minister in detail, conveying the concerns of the state government and the people at large over the ramifications of the Central notification.
The government is learnt to be exploring legal opinion to chart out its next course in the matter, which it intends to use as a major rallying point to marshal its political resources.
The Chief Minister dubbed the Centre's move as part of its unbridled attempts to weaken the fundamental principles of federalism. This shall be fought with all force at the state's command.
ASSUMES 'LEADERSHIP'
The Kerala Chief Minister was the first to come up with a sharp criticism against the order on cattle slaughter as soon as it was notified, inviting national attention in the process.
It is only in subsequent phases that Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telanagana went public voicing their concern over the matter.
Observers here are of the view that Pinarayi Vijayan is keen on maintaining the early advantage he managed to establish, and line up like-minded state governments against the Centre.
The Vijayan government recently completed its first year in office.