The Kerala government has decided to boycott the National Highway inauguration program on Wednesday, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ernakulam. This decision seems to stem from the absence of State Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas from the event. Riyas, who is not only the Public Works Minister but also the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was reportedly excluded from the ceremony.
Chief Minister Vijayan, along with ministers M.B. Rajesh and K. Krishnankutty, has opted out of attending the function. Minister Rajesh mentioned that they received the invitation only on Tuesday and already had prior commitments in their constituency. Krishnankutty also cited inconvenience as the reason for not participating.
The State government’s abstention is viewed as a form of protest against Riyas’ exclusion from the program. The event is part of a larger function where the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate development projects worth Rs 10,800 crore in Kerala. Despite Chief Minister Vijayan’s name being listed in the program notice, he has chosen not to be present.
Among the attendees are Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP’s Kerala unit president, and Union Minister George Kurian. Notable projects to be inaugurated include the six-lane Thalappady–Chengala stretch of National Highway 66 and the Vengalam–Ramanattukara six-lane section of the Kozhikode bypass, both integral to the ongoing expansion of National Highway 66 through Kerala.
Reacting to the situation, Riyas clarified that he had not received any communication inviting him to the program and criticized the perceived lack of democracy in the handling of the event. He emphasized the State government’s significant role in the project, including financial contributions towards land acquisition.
The CPI(M) has indicated its intention to address the issue politically, accusing the BJP of trying to claim sole credit for a project that was a collaborative effort with the State government. The party has criticized the transformation of a development program into a political affair. State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to the boycott by stating that there is no rule mandating the inclusion of the CM’s family in the PM’s programs.
