Lakshadweep Backs "Reforms", Says Aims To Develop Islands Like Maldives

Lakshadweep Collector S Asker Ali held a press conference in Kerala's Kochi today, alleging a "motivated misinformation campaign, which does not represent those living in Lakshadweep".

The administration in Lakshadweep -- under attack over what it called its "reform" measures -- has said it was laying the foundation for the future of islands in a planned way and to develop it on the lines of Maldives in two decades. The administration has also hit out at the "Save Lakshadweep" protest campaign, calling it "misleading propaganda". The administration's pushback came the day Congress's Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin joined the ranks of opposition leaders who wrote to Prime Minister Modi against Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel's alleged "anti-people" policies, Lakshadweep Collector S Asker Ali held a press conference in Kerala's Kochi today, alleging a "motivated misinformation campaign, which does not represent those living in Lakshadweep". Over the last few days, Lakshadweep has emerged a political flashpoint, which had ripples across the country.