Kerala Highway Politics: A Protest Amid PM's Visit

In Kerala, the ruling CPI(M) protested the exclusion of state PWD Minister P A Mohammed Riyas from a national event by staging a separate inaugural event hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official inauguration of stretches of NH-66. The controversy is viewed as political posturing ahead of upcoming state elections.

In a bold political move, the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala inaugurated completed stretches of National Highway 66, mere hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled official event. This protest was sparked by the exclusion of state PWD Minister P A Mohammed Riyas from the Prime Minister's program.

The CPI(M), through MLA C H Kunhambu, marked the inauguration of the Thalappady-Chengala stretch of NH-66. Meanwhile, Minister Riyas showcased the Vengalam-Ramanattukara stretch of the Kozhikode bypass in a high-profile roadshow. Both stretches were later officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister in Kochi.

This political maneuvering comes amid escalating tensions, as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other state ministers chose to boycott the event, with BJP and Congress leaders interpreting these actions as election-focused drama. The upcoming elections add a layer of complexity to the controversy surrounding the national project dedications.

(With inputs from agencies.)