Exclusion of Kerala Public Works Minister from PM’s event stokes political controversy

The inauguration of projects to the tune of ₹11,000 crore, including two stretches of the National Highway (NH) 66, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kochi at a time when the State was heading for Assembly polls has stoked a political controversy with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led Kerala government boycotting the event on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had no other public engagements on the day, boycotted the event apparently as a mark of protest against the reported “absence of a proper communication” regarding the invitation to the event and for not inviting Public Works department (PWD) Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas to the function.

The CPI(M) organised a parallel inauguration of the two road stretches before the Prime Minister inaugurated it. While C. H. Kunhambu, MLA, inaugurated the Thalappady-Chengala stretch, Mr. Riyas inaugurated the Vengalam-Ramanattukara road stretch. Mr. Riyas also undertook a road show along the stretch.

While Ministers M. B. Rajesh and K. Krishnankutty, and Congress leaders Benny Behanan and Uma Thomas, MLA, did not turn up for the Prime Minister’s event, Hibi Eden, MP, attended.

Reacting to the developments, the CPI(M) termed the “wilful exclusion” of Mr. Riyas from the event as the latest instance of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) political vendetta against the people of Kerala. Party State secretary M. V. Govindan said the Centre’s “right-wing politics-driven discrimination” against Kerala was highly evident in the NH-66 episode. The State had raised ₹5,666 crore through KIIFB for the road project, he said.

Congress’ stance

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who termed the inauguration of the road stretches where the “work was continuing” as a political gimmick with an eye on the upcoming Assembly polls, criticised the reported exclusion of Mr. Riyas. The inauguration was not a family function but a public one organised using the taxpayers’ money. Hence, it was improper and violative of the democratic principles not to invite the Works Minister, he said.

Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary Binoy Viswom said Kochi visit of Mr. Modi repeatedly exposed the deceitful approach of the Union government towards Kerala. The Union government had been trying to stall the development of the State and to choke it by denying its due, he criticised.

However, BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Chief Minister, who was invited to the programme, should have decided on the persons who were to attend the function along with him. The list of participants in an event attended by the Prime Minister is fixed by his office in tune with the protocol. As the Chief Minister was invited, there was no point in arguing that his family members, including his son-in-law, should be invited, he said.

Meanwhile, Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, complained to the Lok Sabha Speaker over the reported violation of protocol in connection with the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the 50 MW floating solar power project at West Kallada, which falls within the Mavelikkara parliamentary constituency represented by him.

He complained that he was not intimated or invited to the foundation stone -laying ceremony, which was performed by Mr. Modi.