THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday reiterated his commitment to Kerala's economic development and to turn the state into a favoured investment destination even as he railed against a certain destructive mindset that sought to scuttle growth in the guise of environment and equity.
The CM made his pro-development remarks while inaugurating Lulu Mall in the state capital but LDF's second biggest constituent CPI seemed to have different ideas, with its state council meeting on Thursday witnessing heated oppostion to the semi-high speed K-Rail project, the CM and LDF government's pet project.
The CM said the state government plans to attract investments worth Rs 10,000 crore in a short period of time and explained the steps taken by his government to promote MSMEs in the state. "There are some people who claim to be public workers but work against the interests of the public. It has become a practice in Kerala that complaints start pouring in against development projects as and when they are announced," he said. "Our state is getting ready for more ventures like this. We are aiming to create a knowledge economy and society. People should realise those who try to hinder our developmental activities."
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who also spoke at the mall inauguration function, was all praise for the CM's development initiatives but the CPI leaders were not that convinced. The CPI state council meeting in Thiruvananthapuram reportedly saw several members, including former ministers V S Sunilkumar and K Raju, speaking against the K-Rail project.
The government has been pushing the controversial project as a green and viable initiative despite opposition. The CPI state council members were reportedly critical of the financial viability and environment impact of the project as opposed to the government claims. Some members also expressed doubts about the timing of the project, asking if the state needed such a mega project while it is facing a severe financial crunch.
However, party state secretary Kanam Rajendran is learnt to have said in his reply speech that the CPI was supposed to support the project that figured in the LDF election manifesto and the party cannot take the blame for torpedoing a big-ticket project.
Later, while addressing a news conference, Rajendran chose not to support higher education minister R Bindu who is facing criticism for exerting pressure on governor Arif Mohammed Khan on appointment of Kannur University VC. He had criticised the governor the other day for his remarks against the government.
"As far as I know, the minister has no right to make such recommendations. I don't know whether my knowledge is complete or not,'' he said. It is believed that Rajendran changed his stand on the controversy also following criticism in the council meeting. He, however, refused to react to specific questions like whether the minister committed abuse of power.
