UDF to keep away from Kannur airport opening
Opposition leaders say they are protesting the exclusion of Oommen Chandy and other leaders who made Kannur airport a reality, but not boycotting it as it’s a ‘UDF baby’
Trivandrum:thecongresspartyled opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) will keep away from the opening ceremony of Kannur international airport on Sunday.
They said they were protesting the exclusion of former chief minister Oommen Chandy and other leaders who made it a reality, but not boycotting it as it’s a “UDF baby”.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said it was improper on the part of Pinarayi Vijayan, the incumbent, to ignore and insult his predecessor.
“We are not boycotting the function, but keeping away to register our protest. But there’s no ban on our workers attending it,” he told reporters here on Friday. Quoting Vijayan’s 2016 June 28 statement in the state legislature, he said the Chandy dispensation had completed 90 per cent of the airport.
A 3050-metre runway was ready, and a test light landed in 2015. The now ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM agitated for extending it to 4,000 m.
But it took two and a half years for the present government to complete the 10 per cent remaining work and open the airport.
Vijayan and federal aviation minister Suresh Prabhu will inaugurate the airport and lag off irst light to Abu Dhabi at a glittering ceremony where the authorities expect 100,000 spectators.
“This airport will give wings to northern Kerala, and we also share the excitement of people,” Chennithala said.
“I have received an invitation to the ceremony. So did our three legislators from the district. But we decided to keep away.” He said like state’s other mega projects like Kochi Metro and Vizhinjam Seaport, Chandy fast-tracked project that was in cold storage for many years.
He criticised Vijayan for allowing Amit Shah, the chief of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, to land his light before its inauguration.
“This is a repeat of the Kochi Metro inaugural (where Chandy received no invitation while BJP’S Kerala chief Kummanam Rajasekharan had a ride with Modi and Vijayan),” he said.
“Why this government brings politics here and mar auspicious occasions? We are the happiest lot when the airport opens, despite the pettiness they exhibit.” He said Vijayan was merely trying to appropriate the achievements of others.
“Those who launched an agitation in 2015 saying runway was too short is now opening the airport without extending it an inch. The present industries minister was leading the stir.” However, Chandy said he was not taking it seriously, but was happy that the government had inally decided to open the airport.
“I’ll give the credit for delaying the project to the present government,” he told reporters here.
Chennithala said he also reminded Vijayan of the role of former defence minister AK Antony, a former chief minister as well, in obtaining the federal clearance for the project. He said former chief minister VS Achuthanandan, who cleared the land acquisition also did not get an invite, like former aviation minister CM Ibrahim who proposed it.
Meanwhile, EP Jayarajan, the industries minister, laid the foundation stone for the airport’s corporate ofice on the airport premises on Thursday.
“Kannur Airport has the potential to grow as an international transit hub,” he said. “It is not just Malayalis, but also the people of neighbouring states who are eagerly awaiting.” All the roads leading to the airport will get eliminated tonight (Saturday night) ahead of the inaugural ceremony at 10 am.