Thiruvananthapuram: The Central government has denied the permission for the float from Kerala which had to be initially included in next year’s Republic Day parade.

It is reported that the defence ministry took the decision not to allow the state’s float representing the renaissance values.

Also read: Sabarimala: Kerala debates if Bindu is Ayyappa devotee or naxalite

Initially, 19 states had got permission to present their floats in the Republic Day parade on January 26. Kerala was also included in the list. The defence secretary Sanjay Mitra had sent an official letter to all the states selected for presenting the float. However, Kerala had not received it. Now, it is confirmed that Kerala was eliminated from the event.

Kerala had presented many good floats in previous years and they had received huge appreciation. In 2014, Kerala had received gold medal for their float.

In 2015 and 2016 Kerala was denied permission for the float. In 2017, Kerala got the fifth position in the competition. In 2017, the state’s float was made in the shape of ‘Kettukazhcha’ of Ochira Parabrahma Temple.

It has been alleged that such an action was taken by the Centre due to political reasons. It is also reported that some of the BJP-CPM clashes in Kerala were one of the reasons for the Centre to omit Kerala from the list

There are also allegations that the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's stand to stay with the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala issue is another reason for the Centre's stand.

The Supreme Court verdict on September 28 allowing the entry of women of all age groups into the famous shrine had made Sabarimala a battlefield.