Kochi: Mr P. Rajeeve, the CPM’s star performer in the Rajya Sabha for the last six years, feels that he was able to raise many issues on the floor of the House but what gave him most satisfaction was the work he did for the people in the state.
“I could pool money from several sources, including MP’s Local Area Development programme, and implement several projects which benefited the people directly,” he said. Mr Rajeeve was speaking at a ‘meet-the-press’ on his return to the hometown after completing his term in the Upper House.
Developmental works worth Rs 20 core were taken up at the Ernakulam General Hospital and the state’s largest dialysis centre in the public sector was set up in Aluva, he said.
“Renovation of several schools with many facilities, including e-toilets and napkin-vending machines, was another important project,” he said.
Referring to the demand made by several leaders, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and BSP leader Mayawat, that the CPM give him another term, Mr Rajeeve said it had been the party position to give its representatives based in Kerala a single term in the Rajya Sabha and an additional term for those based in Delhi. “We were given to understand from the beginning that it will be for six years,” he said.
The strength of the party got depleted during the time he was in the House and the party was at the eighth position now, but he could raise several issues in the House.
“We were a good team of MPs and we did a thorough job of our membership and the other members appreciated it.” His speech in the House on section 66A of the IT Act was one of the first documents on the issue.
The governing body of the Medical Council of India was disbanded after he brought to the notice of the House the issue of rampant corruption there, he said.
