LDF boycotts Vizhinjam foundation stone laying function

CPI-M led LDF Opposition today boycotted the Rs 7525 crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport foundation stone laying function here.
Union Minister for Shipping and Road Transport Nitin Gadkari was the chief guest at the function attended among others by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, State Sports Minister K Babu, Chairman of Adani Group, Gautam Adani and Shashi Tharoor.
The decision to keep away from the function was announced by CPI-M State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan after the Chairman of Adani Group that won the construction and operation contract of the project, met him at AKG Centre here.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Balakrishnan said they told Adani that LDF was not against the project, but opposed to certain terms and conditons of the contract agreement.

"Not only that, LDF have decided not to participate as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and State Ports Minister K Babu, who were facing charges of corruptioin in Solar and Bar scams respectively are main organisers of the function," he said.
"LDF is boycotting these ministers even in the assembly," the CPI-M leader said.

Balakrishnan pointed out that the previous LDF government had planned to implement the project under 'Landlord model'. The present UDF government decision to carry out the project through PPP route would cause loss and liability to the state, he claimed.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, that puts 32 per cent of the total cost of Rs.7525 crore would get the entire project including the land, Balakrishnan alleged.

Criticising the condition of profit sharing ratio, he said the state would get only one per cent of the profit for the first 20 years. "This is a loss to the state," he added.
Land acquisition has to be done by the state and "so the terms and conditions are not acceptable," he added.