Lucky To Get Her, Says Kerala Chief Minister About Harvard's Gita Gopinath

Thiruvananthapuram: Gita Gopinath, a renowned economist and professor at Harvard University, has been appointed the top economic adviser to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a selection which has been circled by some as incongruous with his party's ideology.

"For us, she is one of the leading world economists with roots in Kerala. What is wrong in asking her views and opinions on world economy and make use of whatever we want? As long as our stand is clear, there is no need for a worry on any departure from the party line," the Chief Minister told the Indian Express.

Ms Gopinath, 38, had been described as "a neo-liberal advocate" by some members of the Left who offer that tag as criticism.  

"Neo-liberalism has become outdated worldwide. So we are not sure whether this Harvard professor (has) also made any change in her earlier stand in this," said Kanam Rajendran, state secretary of the CPI, which partners with Mr Vijayan's CPM in governing the state.  

The coalition displaced the Congress-led alliance in May.