KOZHIKODE: The Airport Authority of India has warned of stopping wide bodied aircraft operations at Kozhikode International Airport permanently due to the state government’s failure to acquire land for runway expansion. But major political parties do not appear to be worried.
While the district leaderships is rooting for the expansion of the airport after provision of adequate compensation, the local party cadre is supporting protests against land acquisition.
However, vote bank politics do not allow the leadership to intervene and convince local cadre on the need for the expansion.
“People have formed an action council against the land acquisition and all party members are part of it. None of the major political parties have come forward with a clear stand and that’s a major issue,” local legislator K.N.A. Khader told DC.
The 157 acres of land marked for acquisition is in his Vallikkunnu constituency. Sources suggest that parties are wary of losing support if they backed acquisition and that is why they remain silent.
“Muslim League is for expansion but we cannot overlook the demands of the residents. The government should negotiate with them and give good compensation,” Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, Malappuram district president of the party, said.
He also said that local cadre could not but support the protesters as their demands were justified. The stand taken by the Malappuram DCC and the CPM are also no different.
