During the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a political swipe at the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, remarking that the presence of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on stage would likely unsettle many.
Addressing the public gathering following the inauguration, PM Modi stated, “I want to tell Chief Minister (Pinarayi Vijayan), you are a strong pillar of INDI alliance, Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here.”
“Today’s event is going to disturb the sleep of many,” PM Modi further added.
Though the official Malayalam translation of his Hindi remark did not convey the intended message verbatim, the Prime Minister remarked, “The message has gone wherever it has to go.”
Tharoor, a four-time Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has recently drawn attention for his supportive comments about PM Modi’s response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam.
His remarks and past praise for the Prime Minister’s diplomacy with US President Donald Trump have drawn criticism from within his party.
On Thursday evening, Tharoor greeted the Prime Minister at the airport.
Taking to X, he posted, “Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency. Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception.”
PM Modi formally inaugurated the Rs 8,900 crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Shashi Tharoor, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, and Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, among others.
Describing the seaport as a model of ‘new-age development’, PM Modi noted its location at the meeting point of vast maritime opportunity and natural beauty.
“On one hand, there is this big sea with so many opportunities and on the other hand, there is beauty of nature, in between there is this ‘Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport’, which is a symbol of new-age development,” PM Modi asserted.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the state’s residents for dedicating the project to the nation.
“On behalf of the people of Kerala, I once again express our sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for visiting our state to dedicate the landmark project to the nation. I also extend my congratulations to the Adani Group for executing this mission with excellence,” he remarked.
Developers are building the Vizhinjam port under the landlord model using a Public-Private Partnership structure.
The Concessionaire, Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited, began construction on 5 December 2015 under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model.
Also Read: PM Modi Inaugurates Vizhinjam Deepwater Port; Calls It A Beacon Of Modern Progress
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