LDF, UDF hamper progress, says Sreedharan
KOZHIKODE: The electoral fortunes of the factionriddenbharatiyajanataparty(bjp)inkeralareceived a shot in the arm with the entry of acclaimed technocrat “Metroman” E Sreedharan on Thursday.
In the scores of interviews given by the 88-yearold engineer, Sreedharan minced no words in his preference for the saffron party as he believes “only BJP could take Kerala on road to progress.” “I decided to join BJP because I wanted to do something substantial for the state,” he said in one of the interviews. According to him he had been a party supporter from the beginning and had an affinity to its ideals ever since his childhood. He also recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the later was the chief minister of Gujarat and said he held Modi in high esteem.
He blamed two rival fronts in Kerala, the Let Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF), for failing to address developmental concerns of the state.
Sreedharan also alleged that he had to withdraw from many projects like the Nilambur-Nanjangud rail line, the Light Metro project, and the High-speed Rail project “because the state government did not have any interest in them.”
Thoughsreedharanexpressedhisdesiretocontest the upcoming legislative Assembly polls, BJP is yet to make up its mind over the constituency to field him. He may either contest from Ernakulam, where his contribution to Kochi Metro would come handy while approaching the voters or from Ponnani, his native town in Malappuram district.
According to him his decision to join BJP would result in massive expansion of support base of the party.
“I have a good reputation in Kerala. If such a person joins BJP, more people would gravitate towards the party,” Sreedharan said.
Sreedharan said on Friday his main aim is to help the party come to power in Kerala and that he will be open to the post of chief minister.
“If they (BJP) want, certainly. To tell you very frankly, unless I am the chief minister these (priorities) cannot be achieved,” he answered to a query. He said he would not accept governorship as it wields no power.