Thiruvananthapuram: A day before public campaigning ends, warring leaders of Kerala found time to debate the state’s development. CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan responded to chief minister Oommen Chandy’s challenge to debate development through posts on Facebook. But, Chandy found Pinarayi’s reply dissatisfactory.
It was on Thursday afternoon that Chandy challenged the ‘LDF’s CM-candidate’ Pinarayi through a post. He said the development issues needed to be debated at least when the campaign was close to winding up. Chandy said the last five years witnessed unprecedented development in the state. He named Smart City, Metro Rail and Vizhinjam port project and recalled how the LDF levelled allegations against each of them. “Only by the continuation of this government, we can carry forward the development projects and launch new ones,” Chandy said.
On Thursday night, Pinarayi replied in detail. “The fourth inter national Congress on Kerala studies, Nava Kerala march and the LDF manifesto have placed in front of the people the concept of sustainable development which Kerala needs. You might not have noticed those as you equate governance with corruption,” Vijayan commented.
On Friday, Vijayan posted that no big-ticket investment project happened in manufacturing sector in the last five years. “Chandy could not even introduce a project of his own. In projects like Kannur airport, Smart City, Vallarpadom, LDF's vision is involved. Though you conducted inaugurations no major project was completed during your tenure,” he said.
Picking holes in the argument that the UDF government constructed several bridges and roads in the state, Vijayan said the government used PWD as a means for corruption. “On one side, the CM is acting as hero of development, on the other, he is using major works to mint money,” he said.
Pinarayi's retort, however, failed to enthuse Chandy. On his Facebook page, Chandy expressed disappointment over Vijayan not accepting his invitation for a debate. “He levelled allegations of corruption again. It may be recalled that he alleged corruption to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore in the Vizhinjam project, but withdrew it the next day.
Now, he is talking about the development plans in future if elected to power. In the past too, CPM has organized study congresses. But, when they came to power, they couldn’t implement anything,” said Chandy.
Start a Conversation
Post comment