Aranmula airport: Kummanam dares CM for open debate, Rift widens in UDF

published on January 20, 2013

Kummanam Rajasekharan, who is spearheading the agitation against Aranmula airport project, today challenged the Chief Minister to a public debate to prove his point that the general public are supporting the project.

Dismissing Oommen Chandy’s contention that the state government decided to go ahead with the project, because of favorable public opinion, Kummanam said that statement is simply deceitful, completely false and devoid of any logic.

In a statement issued in Kochi , Kummanam pointed out that the Legislature Committee on Environment, comprising of nine MLAs had reported against the project as they knew what the public mood was. “The government decision, in fact, undermines the credibility and lowers the stature of the Legislature Committee,” he said.

The local MLA and MP could not muster courage to even organize a single public meeting in Aranmula in favors of the project. “And you call this public support?” Kummanam asked.

Sivadasan Nair, the local MLA had campaigned against the airport during the last general elections and now has changed his stand. While the Chief Minister prefers to rely on such an individual who clearly adopts double standards, Oommen Chandy tends to ignore MLAs led by CP Muhammed, who have

studied the issue in detail. “This is clear absurdity,” he added. Rift widening in UDF

Meanwhile, the ruling United Democratic front also seems to be divided on the issue. Days after senior Congress leader VM Sudheeran came out openly against the proposed project, government chief whip and Kerala Congress leader P C George also slammed the government move to support an airport in Aranmula.

Speaking during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations and award presentation function organised by the Indo-Arab Confederation Council in Kozhikkode on Thursday, George said that there was no need for an airport in Aranmula and it would not be beneficial for the people.

He further said that the Non-resident Keralites (NRKs) are depending more on Nedumbassery and Kozhikode airports and priority should be given for the development of these airports. “Handing over the land to a private company for constructing the Aranmula airport would not help the people of the state in any way,” George added.