THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress leadership is divided over the Athirappilly project which the LDF government wants to implement. While Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala has opposed it, former chief minister Oommen Chandy says a consensus should be reached on it. The onus is now on KPCC president M. M. Hassan to take a united stand after holding talks in the party and with the UDF leadership. Mr Hassan has said that the Congress was against the Athirapally project.
The differences in the Congress had cropped up after Electricity Minister M.M. Mani announced that the government will go ahead with it and that preliminary works had started. Mr Chennithala said that the UDF is opposed to the project and clarified that he and Mr Chandy have the same opinion.
“Oommen Chandy opined that talks have to be held with people from all walks of life. The media is twisting his words,” said Mr Chennithala. He asked Mr V. S. Achuthanandan, chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission, to speak out openly if he is opposed to the project. Mr Chennithala had sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requesting him not to seek environmental clearance for the scheme as it would damage the environment.
