China first,Security next for Commies

Vizhinjam project: CPI(M) stand disappointing, says Rajagopal

Pioneer News Service | Thiruvananthapuram

Former Union Minister and Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) leader O Rajagopal, the stand of Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) to stand by its decision regarding the partnership with the Chinese company on the Vizhinjam container terminal project as disappointing.

Addressing newspersons here on Saturday, Rajagopal said that the statement of CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat that the state chapter of Bharatiya Janata Party has deep interest in the partnership with the Chinese company on the Vizhinjam container terminal project is not correct.

He said that the Centre had not rejected the project but had only said that the project could not be cleared if it was constructed by Chinese companies pointing out the security reasons.

“If the State Government submitted a fresh proposal with another bidder, who did not pose any threat to the security of the country, with the same terms and conditions, the centre would give clearance,” he said.

“Regarding the Vizhinjam project, BJP has a different stand. The version of Karat that the BJP has no difference of opinion on the move of the CPI-M regarding the sanctioning of tender to a consortium of two Chinese companies, has evolved due to a misunderstanding,” he said adding that every one knows the reason for the special interest, which the Marxist party is showing towards China.

The BJP leader said that Vizhinjam project, when comes to reality, would not only be beneficial to the state, but to the entire nation. But instead of giving priority to the project, the Marxist party gives prime importance to the sanctioning of tender to the Chinese companies.