Shah ‘first’ passenger at new airport

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah yesterday unofficially became the ‘first passenger’ to have walked through the brand new international airport in Kannur, which will open shortly to the public.

The Kerala government tried its best to thwart the landing of Shah, but it had to bend after the intervention of the civil aviation authorities in New Delhi. The date of inauguration is yet to be finalised.

Shah arrived earlier in the morning and was given a rousing welcome by the entire top brass of the state BJP unit.

He was in Kannur to inaugurate the new district office of the BJP. From Kannur, Shah was expected travel to the state capital and also to Varkala before returning to the national capital today.

BJP ‘can throw out Kerala government’

Criticising Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the BJP national president asked him not to “play with the Sabarimala issue”, warning him that the BJP would not mind throwing out the Kerala government if it tried to tinker with issues of faith.

Condemning the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to the temple, he said the court should not pass verdicts that go against the religious beliefs of the people and “can’t be implemented” on the ground. Speaking at a public meeting in Kannur, Shah said: “The BJP will take over the protest of the Ayyappa devotees. We will not mind throwing out the government if Kerala tries to steamroll over the traditions of the Sabarimala temple.”