The Centre’s submission before the Kerala High Court that Keralam is not currently a priority for setting up an AIIMS has triggered a fresh political storm in the State, with the Congress, CPI(M) and CPI sharply criticising the Union Minister and Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi’s repeated assurances on the project.

The Centre told the High Court on Wednesday that it was prioritising States with weaker healthcare systems, while Keralam was comparatively better placed. It also said no in-principle approval had been granted for an AIIMS in the State and that the proposal had not figured in any Union Budget announcement.

Responding to the Centre’s rationale, Thrissur District Congress Committee president Joseph Tajet said the Centre’s stand had exposed the gap between the Union government’s position and Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi’s repeated assurances.

“For the past two-and-a-half years, people in Thrissur have been hearing the same refrain — ‘I will bring AIIMS to Thrissur’. Now that the Centre itself has told the High Court that Keralam is not a priority, it is clear that the people have been misled,” he said.

Mr. Tajet alleged that the BJP had kept the AIIMS issue alive for political gains and asked Mr. Gopi to decide for himself whether he should continue as an MP.

The CPI(M) also demanded that Mr. Gopi end what it termed his “promise drama” over AIIMS. District secretary K.V. Abdul Khader asked whether the Union Minister was unaware of the Centre’s affidavit or had continued making promises despite knowing its contents.

“The Centre must clarify its position, but Suresh Gopi must also explain why he continued making assurances that AIIMS would come to Thrissur,” he said.

The CPI accused Mr. Gopi of repeatedly changing his stand on the proposed location. CPI said that while he had promised AIIMS for Thrissur during the 2024 election campaign, he later advocated Alappuzha and had subsequently returned to the Thrissur claim.

“After repeatedly making hollow promises and changing his position, Suresh Gopi should end the drama and show some dignity,” the CPI said.

All three parties also criticised the Centre’s argument that Keralam’s relatively strong healthcare system was a reason to prioritise other States, saying the State’s healthcare achievements should not become a disadvantage in securing an AIIMS.