VD Satheesan rejects Shashi Tharoor’s praise of Kerala’s industrial growth

Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has dismissed Shashi Tharoor’s recent statement praising Kerala’s industrial achievements under the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Satheesan questioned the basis of Tharoor’s observation, arguing that Kerala does not currently offer a favourable environment for industry.

V D Satheesan expressed confusion over Tharoor’s praise for the state’s industrial development. “Kerala is not a state with a good industrial environment at present. It needs to improve,” Satheesan said, adding that he is unsure on what grounds Tharoor made this statement. He also highlighted that Kerala needs major improvements in the industrial sector.

In response to claims made by Kerala’s Industries Minister P Rajeev that three lakh new enterprises have been established in the last three and a half years, Satheesan expressed scepticism. “I asked him surprisingly which 3,00,000 enterprises are in Kerala. If so, wouldn’t an average of 2,00,000 enterprises have been started in each constituency?" Satheesan questioned.

Tharoor’s article praising Kerala’s industrial growth

The debate stems from an article written by Shashi Tharoor, which was published in an English newspaper on Friday. In his article, Tharoor praised Kerala’s industrial sector, stating that the government-led by the Communist Party is achieving impressive results, particularly in entrepreneurial growth and sustainable development.

Tharoor’s praise has created a rift within the Congress. While Satheesan and other state Congress leaders like Ramesh Chennithala have criticised the government’s performance, Congress leader K Muraleedharan also weighed in, stating that Tharoor’s views do not align with the Congress position in Kerala. “What Tharoor said is not the stand of the Congress in Kerala," Muraleedharan remarked.