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posted by: Kavya Mishra
Last updated: 02 Jul 2023, 6:25 PM IST
Kerala Assembly (Representative Image: IANS)
The Left Party said that no one in their right mind would make such a proposal in view of all government departments and facilities available in Thiruvananthapuram.
Congress MP Hebe Eden’s move to propose shifting Kerala’s capital to Kochi from Thiruvananthapuram has been widely criticized across political lines, including his own party, which rejected it as “illogical” and “impractical”.
Kerala’s ruling CPI (M) also indicated that Thiruvananthapuram would remain the state capital and described MP Ernakulam Eden’s move as “immature” and aimed at improving his chances in next year’s general elections.
The Left Party said that no one in their right mind would make such a proposal in view of all government departments and facilities available in Thiruvananthapuram.
Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, said he totally rejects Eden’s proposal as it is “illogical”.
He also said there was some “mischief” on the part of the center in seeking views on Eden’s bill to convert the state capital even before it was allowed to submit them to the House of Representatives.
“Hebe Aden has the right to move such a bill, but it is an illogical decision. I totally reject it,” he said.
He also tweeted – “Some weekend break! Kerala: Congress MP @HibiEden wants the state capital to shift to Kochi, impractical @CMOKerala notes, @ShashiTharoor says ‘totally without merit’.”
Muraleedharan, a Congress Member of Parliament and son of the late party leader and former Chief Minister K Karunakaran, also shared similar views when he said that Eden’s move without consulting the big old party was “unacceptable”.
He said that Thiruvananthapuram has been the capital of the state since the advent of Kerala. There were plenty of facilities, such as an international airport and places of worship for all religions, within the city, and thus, there was no question of moving the capital to Kochi.
“I don’t know what prompted Eden to make such a proposal, but the state capital cannot be shifted at someone’s will. He should have consulted with the party before making this move,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the State Assembly VD Satheesan said that while Eden was like a younger brother to him, the moment he knew about the proposal, he immediately conveyed his “strong displeasure” to the MP for Ernakulam.
Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Satisan said Eden was asked not to press and withdraw the bill in the Lok Sabha.
“He will not pressure and withdraw the bill,” the LP said.
Satisan said it was a member’s bill and does not indicate the party’s position that it does not agree with the proposal.
Congress does not want to shift the capital to Kochi which is being pressed for space as it is. “Thiruvananthapuram is the best place for it,” he added.
CPI(M) leaders and State Ministers P Rajeev and V Sivankutty also criticized Eden’s move.
Sivankutty said the state government had already indicated its disagreement with the proposal to the concerned authorities.
“The proposal is impractical and immature. It will not be allowed,” he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
Rajiv said the proposal was an indication of Eden’s decision to contest the general election from Ernakulam and nothing more. “The leadership of his party criticized his move and rejected it,” he said.
CPI(M)MM Leader Mani was of the opinion that no one in their right mind would make such a suggestion.
Eden has yet to respond to criticism of his decision.
Meanwhile, some members of the youth wing of the BJP Yuva Morcha staged a protest march to the State Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram against Eden’s decision and also burned his effigy there.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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