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

Political controversy erupts as Kerala's PWD Minister is excluded from PM Modi's event, prompting CPI(M) to hold a parallel inauguration.

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.