Political battle over Vizhinjam port credit flares ahead of PM Modi's inauguration
The political tug-of-over over claiming credit for the realisation of the Vizhinjam International Seaport continued to rage on, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioning the country's first dedicated transshipment port on Friday (May 2, 2025).
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who opted out of the ceremony, shared a video of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's speech made in the Kerala Assembly on the Vizhinjam port on June 8, 2015.
His Facebook post read: 'Oommen Chandy is no longer with us. Yet, he lives on in the hearts of the people as a chapter of history that cannot be erased. Those who deliberately try to forget or rewrite history are the ones who fear even the memories of Oommen Chandy. Wishing all the best to the Vizhinjam Port.'
He had accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led State government of making attempts to erase the legacy of Oommen Chandy.
In his Assembly speech, Chandy declared the long-cherished dream of the Vizhinjam port was finally becoming a reality. He emphasised that the project would advance while safeguarding the interests of the State.
'We welcome any constructive criticism,' he had stated. 'However, the Opposition's efforts to derail the project by making allegations of corruption will not succeed.'
Earlier in the day, Congress leader M. Vincent, who represents the Kovalam Assembly constituency where the port is located, paid tribute at the tomb of the former Chief Minister in Kottayam. Accompanied by Chandy's son and fellow MLA Chandy Oommen, Mr. Vincent offered prayers and hailed the late Congress leader as the 'father of the Vizhinjam Port'.
Speaking to the media before leaving to take part in the ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Vincent credited Oommen Chandy's unwavering commitment for making the project a reality, despite sustained political opposition from the LDF. He added that the former Chief Minister not only completed all project formalities, but also overcame legal challenges by approaching the Supreme Court on various occasions.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, credited the achievement to the resolve of the government. In a Facebook post on Thursday evening, he wrote: 'As this (LDF) government enters its tenth year, the Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to be commissioned tomorrow as a gift to every Malayali. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the port to the nation tomorrow (May 2), Kerala is marking its place on the global maritime map.
'This moment signals the dawn of a new era of development. It is the willpower of the Kerala government, along with the steadfast support of the people, that has turned this long-cherished dream into a reality,' he said.
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