Keen to have PM inaugurate Metro project to showcase Kerala's development: CPI-M

The LDF government has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Kochi Metro project so that he can see for himself the development made by Kerala, which he once compared with one of the least developed nations Somalia, the CPI(M) said today.
During an election rally in Kerala last year, Modi had compared the state to Somalia, saying it lagged in development.
"We want the prime minister to see that development has also been made in Kerala, the state which he had compared with Somalia. So we have invited him to dedicate the Kochi Metro to the nation," CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

Speaking during a party function here, Balakrishnan said the Kochi Metro inauguration will be held by this month end.
PM Modi at an assembly election rally last year had compared Kerala, which is ranked first in Human Development Index in India, to Somalia, one of the least developed nations.
"The unemployment rate in Kerala is at least three-times higher than the national average. Infant mortality rate among the scheduled tribe community in Kerala is worse than Somalia," Modi had said.