The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in the State has moved the Kerala High Court demanding that the Centre’s decision be stayed forthwith.
The arbitrary decision, the State Government has said, is against the interests of the people of the State, and hence its decision to challenge it. The Centre’s decision would also invite the charge of contempt of court as the case is pending in the Kerala HC.
The State Government, it may be recalled, had moved the Kerala HC against the Centre’s decision to hand over the management of the Thiruvananthapuram airport to a private operator. But the HC rejected the Government’s plea. The Government then approached the Supreme Court, which referred the case back to the Kerala HC, where it is pending.
The decision is also against the assurance given by the Union Civil Aviation Minister in the Rajya Sabha that no decision would be taken before the High Court comes out with its decision in the matter. In fact, CPI(M) MP Elamaram Karim has given notice for a privilege motion against the Minister.
Incidentally, the Adani group has been given the contract for the development of Kerala’s prestigious port at Vizhinjam.
The Kerala Chief Minister has written to the Prime Minister conveying its strong opposition to the Centre’s decision. In view of the strong sentiments against the Central move, it would be difficult for Kerala to cooperate in the implementation of the decision, the letter said.
Without the cooperation of the State Government in acquiring the land for development of the airport, the Adani group would find it extremely difficult to go ahead with the project. The Chief Minister has, in the meantime, called an all-party meeting to discuss the Centre’s decision, which has been opposed by all the parties except the BJP.
State CPI(M) leaders, including the Minister in charge of airports, Kadakampalli Surendran, have alleged that the project has been handed over to the Adani group in exchange of a massive kickback. It has also come under the cover of the covid pandemic raging across the country, they alleged.
In another twist to the controversy, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor has welcomed the Centre’s decision, saying that it would benefit his constituency in a big way. Tharoor’s stand is at odds with the Congress party’s official stand, which has been forcefully articulated by senior Congress leader A K Antony.
With the Kerala Government deciding to oppose the Centre’s move, the stage is set for a prolonged legal as well as political battle. (IPA Service)
CENTRE-KERALA SHOWDOWN OVER THIRUVANANTHAPURAM AIRPORT
MOVE TO HAND IT OVER TO ADANI GROUP OPPOSED BY ALL PARTIES
P. Sreekumaran - 2020-08-22 09:44
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre’s decision to hand over the management of the Thiruvananthapuram airport to the Adani group has set the stage for a confrontation with the Kerala Government.