Gopinath is actually the third unconventional political appointment made by Vijayan, a veteran Communist leader. Bengaluru: Harvard economist Gita Gopinath’s appointment as financial advisor to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala has stirred a political controversy in the Left-ruled state. The reason: She is thought to advocate neo-liberal economics while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that leads the Kerala government vociferously opposes such policies on a national scale. Previous Left governments in Kerala have usually offered this post to classical Marxist economists such as Prabhat Patnaik. Gopinath, whose expertise lies in international macroeconomics, will be given the position of principal secretary in the Left Front ruled state without a salary.

Source: Mint July 25, 2016 12:45 UTC