Kerala Ministers Boycott PM Modi's Event Over Alleged Exclusion

Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other state ministers decided not to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event, citing the exclusion of the state's PWD Minister P A Mohammed Riyas. The event included inaugurations of highway expansions in Kerala, with some suggesting political motives behind the exclusion.

In a surprising development, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other state ministers opted to skip Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official event, protesting the alleged exclusion of Public Works Department Minister P A Mohammed Riyas. The event, set to inaugurate key highway projects, has sparked political controversy.

Chief Minister Vijayan, along with ministers M B Rajesh and K Krishnankutty, cited personal reasons for their absence, though sources suggest the move is political. Minister Riyas criticized his exclusion as undemocratic, highlighting the state's central role in the projects through land acquisition and funding.

Riyas expressed skepticism on sidelining the Left Democratic Front's contributions, suggesting the exclusion served a political agenda. Meanwhile, BJP's B Gopalakrishnan accused the state government of using the boycott to consolidate votes for upcoming elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)