Tharoor, CPM spar over Centre’s airport decision

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has come in for sharp criticism from the ruling CPM and his own party for supporting the Centre’s decision to lease out Thiruvananthapuram airport the Adani group.

Kerala tourism minister and CPM leader Mr Kadakampally Surendran slammed Tharoor for taking a position in favour of corporate. The Congress MP's statement amounts to betraying the people of Kerala.

The minister said the people will make him answerable for supporting the sellout of airport.

Tharoor responded to the criticism through a tweet; “My position on the airport has been consistent since before the elections. I am not a politician who says one thing to the voters and something else afterwards for political convenience. Had my colleagues consulted me before taking a negative stand, I would have explained my views to them. I am speaking in the best interests of my constituency as its MP and it’s my job.”

Tharoor said the people of Thiruvananthpuram wanted a first class airport worthy of the city’s history, status and potential. In this context a decision, however controversial, is preferable to the long dealy we have suffered. The reality is that a private entity running the operations competitively is the only way this airport could flourish. Whoever it is, the ownership of the land and airport as well as the responsibilities of the ATC, security , customs and immigration still remains with the government agencies,” he said.

A section of Congress leaders have also opposed Tharoor's stand. They said the Congress cannot be a part to the sale of precious public sector enterprises to the private sector.