Metroman Sreedharan made BJP CM face for Kerala polls
Syro Malabar Church mouthpiece snubs BJP, asks tough questions
The state unit of BJP on Thursday announced that Metroman E. Sreedharan would be the party’s chief ministerial face in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state to be held on April 6.
BJP state president Mr K Surendran made the announcement while addressing a public meeting in Pathanamthitta district on Thursday in connection with his Vijay Yatra.
“If given a chance, under Metroman, Kerala will see a development culture like never before,” he said.
He said that a sizable section of people in Kerala want a personality like E Sreedharan to become the chief minister of the state.
“In the present circumstances when corruption is rampant and development projects have hit a roadblock, a person of Sreedharan’s stature is needed at the helm. We requested him to join the BJP with a clear purpose of utilising his services for the state and the country,” he said.
The BJP leader said Sreedharan is known for completing the projects in a cost effective manner, without corruption and in a time bound manner.
“In Kerala we know projects have been moving at a snail’s pace. Alappuzha bypass took 45 years, Kollam bypass nearly five decades, “he said.
Significantly Surendran’s announcement came on a day when Sreedharan inspected the Palarivattom flyover in Kochi and announced that it was ready for traffic movement.
He was entrusted with the task of repair and maintenance of the flyover which had been closed for vehicular traffic because of major defects.
Though the flyover was to be completed within 16 months, Sreedharan got the work finished within six months.
The Palarivattom flyover had triggered a major political storm in Kerala last year with a former PWD minister and Muslim League leader being arrested in connection with the corruption in construction of fly over. It is alleged that low quality material was used for the construction which led to major defects.
“Yes the flyover is ready for being handed over to the state government in a day or two. It is for the government to reopen it for traffic,” Sreedharan said after inspecting the flyover.
Earlier, even the metroman had very clearly expressed his desire to lead the state if given a chance as a chief minister.
Church mouthpiece snubs BJP: In another development, the BJP which was trying to woo the Christian community in Kerala received a snub from Syro Malabar Church.
The mouthpiece of the Church Sathya Deepam unleashed a scathing attack on the BJP government at the Centre for the hike in LPG Petrol prices.
In an article, the Church said questions need to be asked to the BJP on various issues. It took a dig at the BJP “Vijay Yatra”. Are they celebrating the 100 scored by petrol prices or `225 increased in LPG prices during the last three months.
The Church mouthpiece sought to know as to why Stan Swami was in the jail and why justice was being delayed to Kandhamal victims.
The BJP leaders including state president K Surendran, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan had called on Syro Malabar Church archbishop Mar George Alanchery in Kochi recently to seek his support for the party.