‘Delhi-TVM political rail by broker KV Thomas’: Congress skeptical about Sreedharan's alternative

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leaders have voiced skepticism about the alternative proposal for the SilverLine semi-high speed rail project proposed by BJP leader and noted engineer E Sreedharan.

Vadakara MP K Muraleedharan said though it is not fair to comment on the project before the DPR is ready, he suspects this to be a Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram political rail to annihilate the Congress. At the same time, the MP added that the Congress is not against the project. 

“KV Thomas visits Sreedharan at home one day… Sreedharan presents the draft the next day. Soon, BJP state president K Surendran meets Sreedharan. I acknowledge E Sreedharan’s technical skills and expertise. But even he cannot prepare the draft for a multi-crore project within 24 hours. One needs Aladdin’s magic lamp to do this,” K Muraleedharan said. He also said KV Thomas has a close relationship with the BJP.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Cheriyan Philip called KV Thomas a 'broker of CPM-BJP deals’ and said the former union minister met Sreedharan on Amit Shah's advice. 

"This is a political business. In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP hopes to get the support of the CPM in Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, both seats reserved for CPI. BJP will secretly support CPM in other constituencies. KV Thomas has already begun talks with BJP leaders," he accused.

Sreedharan has sent a ‘note’ proposing high speed rail fully with completely underground or elevated tracks to the state government as the SilverLine semi-high speed rail project met with many hiccups. The government is yet to react to the proposal.