CPM rallies against Adani takeover

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just a month left for Lok Sabha polls, CPM is all set to make privatisation of Thiruvananthapuram a major poll issue in the prestigious constituency.

The CPM intends to mount a twin attack targeting the BJP led Modi Government which paved the way for privatisation of the airport and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor for remaining silent on the issue. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told media persons here that a mass protest involving peoples representatives will be held outside Raj Bhavan on  March 8 against privatisation of the airport.

At a press conference here, Kodiyeri demanded a probe into the entire bid process. “How can all six airports go to Adani group? They seem to have controlled the bidding process which is not fair,” he said.

The CPM leader said Adani who is the promoter of Vizhinjam Port should not be part of any project which is against the interest of Kerala. The privatisation of airport is against the interest of the people and hence he should withdraw from it on his own.

Kodiyeri said all legal options are also being explored to challenge the privatisation.

The CPM leader alleg-ed that Tharoor’s silence on the issue indicated that he was acting as middle man of the gro-up.

 However, the CPM is not averse to involving all political parties inc-luding the BJP in the movement against privatization as it is a common cause of the people.
When asked whether isn’t there double standards in CPM stand as it was supporting the Adani ports on the one hand and opposing privatization of airport, Kodiyeri said the port project came during the previous UDF Govern-ment’s tenure.

 “We didn’t want to block an on-going project. At the sa-me time we have made it clear that any violation of contract or anti people actions of the promoters will be opposed,” he said.

Meanwhile, a section of IT honchos, heads of multinational firms, technocrats and industrialists have flayed the Kerala government stand against airport privatization.

They feared the government stand would adversely affect the possibilities of airport development besides discouraging the possible investors.