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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Setting aside political differences, leaders of ruling LDF and opposition UDF camps have resolved to put up a united fight against the Centre’s decision to lease out the Trivandrum International Airport to Adani Enterprises Group. An all-party meeting convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday demanded that the decision should be repealed.
But the joint call by LDF and UDF leaders failed to deter Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor of the Congress from expressing his opinion in favour of the decision.
“The people of Thiruvananthapuram want a first-class airport worthy of the city’s history, status, and potential. In this context, a decision, however controversial, is preferable to the long delay we have suffered,” he tweeted, adding that his position on the issue was consistent and he was not a politician who says ‘one thing to the voters and something else afterwards for political convenience’.
Vijayan said the general feeling in the meeting was against the privatization of the airport. He accused the Union government for going back on its promise that the decision to hand over the airport to Adani group will be reviewed.
The cooperation of state government was important in the functioning of the airport, said the CM, adding, ‘no one who knows business would be ready to challenge the state government’.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the move to hand over the airport to Adani group cannot be justified as it is a novice in the field. “Since the decision to hand over the airport has been challenged in court, it won’t be possible for the Centre to take a decision unilaterally,” he said.
BJP state general secretary George Kurien who attended the all-party conference accused Vijayan of threatening investors ready to put money in projects beneficial to the state. “LDF and UDF are taking an anti-Kerala stand,” he said.
Sources indicated that the takeover may not be a cakewalk for the company. Among the hurdles before the company is the ‘state support agreement,’ a crucial element to complete the takeover procedures. With the chief minister announcing non-cooperation with the Centre’s decision, chances are high that the state may abstain from signing the agreement.
Also, petitions filed by the government and Airport Authority Employees’ Union against the takeover are pending before the high court.
While politicians opposed the Centre’s decision, there was overwhelming support to the decision from city-based non-political organizations and various citizens’ groups.
Several Facebook groups like Trivandrum Indian, Trivandrum Life and ‘Let’s make our city the best’ had recorded several comments by members hailing the Centre’s decision and congratulating the MP for taking an apolitical stand.
Confederation of Indian Industry also welcomed the decision of the government to hand over the airport to the private sector. Chairman of CII Kerala state council Thomas John Muthoot, said “This is an ideal move which would improve flight connectivity and facilities at the airport including logistics and infrastructure facilities.”
But the joint call by LDF and UDF leaders failed to deter Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor of the Congress from expressing his opinion in favour of the decision.
“The people of Thiruvananthapuram want a first-class airport worthy of the city’s history, status, and potential. In this context, a decision, however controversial, is preferable to the long delay we have suffered,” he tweeted, adding that his position on the issue was consistent and he was not a politician who says ‘one thing to the voters and something else afterwards for political convenience’.
Vijayan said the general feeling in the meeting was against the privatization of the airport. He accused the Union government for going back on its promise that the decision to hand over the airport to Adani group will be reviewed.
The cooperation of state government was important in the functioning of the airport, said the CM, adding, ‘no one who knows business would be ready to challenge the state government’.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the move to hand over the airport to Adani group cannot be justified as it is a novice in the field. “Since the decision to hand over the airport has been challenged in court, it won’t be possible for the Centre to take a decision unilaterally,” he said.
BJP state general secretary George Kurien who attended the all-party conference accused Vijayan of threatening investors ready to put money in projects beneficial to the state. “LDF and UDF are taking an anti-Kerala stand,” he said.
Sources indicated that the takeover may not be a cakewalk for the company. Among the hurdles before the company is the ‘state support agreement,’ a crucial element to complete the takeover procedures. With the chief minister announcing non-cooperation with the Centre’s decision, chances are high that the state may abstain from signing the agreement.
Also, petitions filed by the government and Airport Authority Employees’ Union against the takeover are pending before the high court.
While politicians opposed the Centre’s decision, there was overwhelming support to the decision from city-based non-political organizations and various citizens’ groups.
Several Facebook groups like Trivandrum Indian, Trivandrum Life and ‘Let’s make our city the best’ had recorded several comments by members hailing the Centre’s decision and congratulating the MP for taking an apolitical stand.
Confederation of Indian Industry also welcomed the decision of the government to hand over the airport to the private sector. Chairman of CII Kerala state council Thomas John Muthoot, said “This is an ideal move which would improve flight connectivity and facilities at the airport including logistics and infrastructure facilities.”
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