KOCHI: Prof. K.V Thomas MP on Saturday lashed out at the Kochi Metro Rail Limited and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for insulting the UDF MLAs, Kochi mayor and the municipal chiefs along the Metro route by not inviting them for the chief minister’s Metro ride and the inaugural function of the solar energy project at Aluva station. Addressing a press conference at Ernakulam Press Club, Mr K.V. Thomas and UDF MLAs Hibi Eden, Anwar Sadath, Ibrahim Kunju and P.T Thomas said that the KMRL authorities and the chief minister had discriminated against them who had been supporting the Metro project since its conception.
“It is the UDF government which initiated and led the mega developmental projects in Kochi like Nedumbassery airport, Goshree bridges and Metro. The previous Congress-led governments never tried to exclude any CPM leader from the functions of such projects,” said Prof. Thomas. According to Mr V.K Ibrahim Kunju, it was the KMRL’s responsibility to invite the people’s representatives and bring such matters to the attention of the chief minister. Strongly criticising the KMRL and the way in which the function was organised, Mr Hibi Eden said that despite being a government agency, the KMRL had invited CPM district secretary P. Rajeev and kept away the people’s representatives.
“A notice for violation of privilege will be submitted to the speaker before the next Assembly session,” he said. Mr Anwar Sadath said that inviting an MLA for a public function was part of his/her privilege and not a charity. “KMRL has violated the privilege of the people’s representative and steps should be taken against them,” he demanded. The chief minister’s Metro ride was entangled in several unnecessary controversies. Though the KMRL authorities had earlier denied permission for the media to travel with Mr. Pinarayi, the reporters were allowed at the last minute as instructed by the chief minister himself.
