Thiruvananthapuram: Once again, former minister and senior CPM leader Kadakampally Surendran has come out speaking against Tourism and PWD minister PA Muhammad Riyas. On Monday, he leveled serious allegations against the tourism department for the delay being caused in connection with the implementation of Akkulam backwaters revival project. “There is vested interest behind the delay in signing the contract to implement the Akkulam backwater revival project”, he said in the assembly. 

“Even the instructions of Chief Minister PInarayi Vijayan are being ignored by the officials of the tourism department. Attempts are on to scuttle the project by handing over the project to private consultancy groups”, Kadakampally alleged. Meanwhile, tourism minister Muhammad Riyas has replied that the project would be implemented as per KIIFB report, without giving any reply to the allegations raised by Kadakampally. 

Akkulam belongs to the constituency of Kadakampally Surendran, who was the minister of tourism during the first Pinarayi government. The revival project was introduced during his term in his own constituency. Now, he alleges that the project is being scuttled by the tourism department. His main allegation is that instead of implementing the project through time-bound contracts, the tourism department is delaying the project by bringing up lame excuses. “Even the assurance given by the minister in the assembly has not been kept”, Kadakampally said. 

 Earlier, in a veiled attack targeting minister Riyas,  Kadakampally had lashed out against the contracts given in connection with the construction of roads in Thiruvananthapuram. Though he had trained his guns against the officials, his real target was Riyas. But, then Riyas had hit back against Kadakampally and justified the officials.