New Delhi: Union Minister V Muraeedaran on Thursday alleged that the stand of state government opposing the Centre’s move to lease out the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to Adani Enterprises for next 50 years, is shocking. The Congress leaders joining CPM in this matter is laughable. The state government is on a tight spot with the corruptions coming out and the gold smuggling case. They are raising objection to implementing Public-Private Partnership at the airport to divert attention from their corrupt deals, he added.

Taking to Twitter, the Minister added “Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s opposition to privatization of TVPM Airport exposed the double standards of Chief Minsiter. He is ok to have private Airports at Calicut and Kannur with a mere 32.5% & 30.16% stakes for the State, but oppose Centre's move with a better share for Government of India”.

“Why deprive people of Thiruvananthapuram their right to better services at the airport? Development of TVPM Airport on PPP model will be a game-changer. It will bring efficiency in service delivery, expertise, enterprise and professionalism, which will lead to the overall development of the city,” he added.

Meanwhile, he also slammed Congress in Kerala stating their competitive opposition to development in Kerala is shocking. They support UPA’s PPP based development of Delhi and Mumbai Airports, but oppose the same now? Aren't you part of Indian National Congress? he asked.

The LDF’s opposition to development is not new. It started with Computers, Privatization and spread to many areas and let people suffer. People of Kerala cannot be deprived of progress and development just because a regressive regime is in power. Pinarayi Vijayan is worried that he won't be able to support gold smugglers and won't be able to make arbitrary/ backdoor appointments of his own. CM is opposing because he will not be able to outsource shady consultancies like he has been doing all along, Muraleedharan added.

Meanwhile, he also reacted to the statement made by CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury in this regard.

Yechury had tweeted, “Privatization of airports is loot of National assets to fatten profits of cronies. Then issue Electoral Bonds to raise Party funds. Kerala CM’s letter makes it clear that this is happening by betraying assurances of PM Modi on the State government’s proposal. Mega scam!”

Reacting to it, Muraleedharan asked, “If privatization of airports is loot, how can Pinarayi Vijayan government back PPP model for Kochi and Kannur airports with just over 30% stake for state govt?”

CM had even opposed the CAG audit at Kannur airport. Did CPM receive any kickbacks from private players running these airports? he further asked.