Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Kerala as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to skip the official inauguration of key National Highway projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing “credit war” between the LDF-led state government and the NDA-led Centre.
Protocol Dispute: Minister Muhammad Riyas Excluded
The primary trigger for the state government’s boycott is the exclusion of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister P.A. Muhammad Riyas from the list of official invitees. While CM Pinarayi Vijayan and a few other ministers were invited to the event in Kochi, the state government views the omission of the PWD Minister—the department directly overseeing the projects—as a calculated insult.
Minister Riyas reacted strongly to the snub, stating, “Kerala is one of the few states that contributed a massive ₹5,600 crore (25% share) for land acquisition for National Highways. Excluding the state’s PWD Minister is an insult to the people of Kerala.”
PM Modi’s Kerala Visit: High-Stakes Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-state visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, launching projects worth over ₹16,450 crore. In Kerala, the PM is scheduled to:
- Inaugurate the six-laning of the Thalapady–Chengala section of NH-66 (₹2,650 crore).
- Dedicate the six-laned Kozhikode Bypass (₹2,140 crore).
- Launch the Amrit Bharat Station redevelopments for Shoranur, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery.
Political Boycott or Administrative Protest?
While the Prime Minister’s visit includes an NDA election convention at Marine Drive, the official government function was expected to be a joint platform. However, the LDF has accused the Center of turning a state-supported infrastructure milestone into a political campaign event.
The BJP has dismissed these claims, urging the state government to prioritize development over political ego. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticized both sides for making infrastructure a battleground for optics.
