Bridge Inauguration: Keralam Minister, Ex-CPIM MP Spar Over Project Credit

Alappuzha: Dramatic scenes unfolded at the inauguration of the Makkekadavu-Nere Kadavu bridge connecting Alappuzha and Kottayam districts on Sunday, with PWD Minister PK Basheer and former CPI(M) MP AM Ariff sparring over credit for the project, while former Vaikom MLA CK Asha left the venue in protest over not being allowed to speak.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister VD Satheesan inaugurated the 800-metre-long and 11-metre-wide bridge.

Minister Basheer faced booing from some attendees when he began his speech without mentioning the name of AICC general secretary and Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal.

In his speech, Basheer said the bridge was constructed directly by the Public Works Department at a cost of over Rs 98 crore.

"Then there was no KIIFB and PWD directly completed the work," he said.

An expert committee recently conducted a study and pointed out alleged irregularities in the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), which was set up during the previous LDF government's tenure to undertake infrastructure development projects.

"The department possesses some of the most capable and brilliant engineers. Over the past 10 years, KIIFB completely took them away into its fold," Basheer said.

Later, Ariff was booed by some attendees when he said the bridge's construction was completed during the tenure of former LDF PWD Minister PA Mohammed Riyas.

Ariff said that as Riyas did not get the time to inaugurate the bridge, the current government got the chance to do so.

Before Ariff concluded his speech, Satheesan and other ministers, including Basheer, Excise Minister M Liju and Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph, left the stage to cut the ribbon as part of the inauguration ceremony.

Meanwhile, CPI leader Asha openly expressed her displeasure over not being given an opportunity to speak at the event.

Asha was invited to speak after the CM and other ministers had left the dais. She, however, left the stage and the venue without delivering her speech.

Speaking to reporters, Asha said she had worked hard to realise the project while serving as the MLA.

"They invited me to the event and belittled me in front of the crowd. So I am leaving the venue as a mark of my protest," she said.

Satheesan and the other ministers, accompanied by a large crowd, travelled from one end of the bridge to the other as part of the inauguration.