Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a swipe at the opposition bloc INDIA and the Congress, saying the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Shashi Tharoor at the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport here will give “sleepless nights” to many.
Modi’s direct mention of Tharoor’s presence at the event comes at a time when the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram is being accused by his own party colleagues of going soft on the BJP after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Tharoor has also been criticised by some Congress leaders for praising India’s deft diplomacy on the Russia-Ukraine conflict under Modi’s leadership. Congress state unit leaders have also objected to some of the comments made by Tharoor.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the port, developed by the Gautam Adani-led group, the Prime Minister also described Vijayan as a “pillar” of the opposition bloc.
Modi also noted that Kerala Ports Minister V N Vasavan had referred to the Adani Group as a “partner” of the Communist-led state government, describing this as symbolic of the changes taking place in the country.
“I would like to say to our chief minister, you are a big and strong pillar of the INDI Alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here, and I would like to say that today’s event will take away the sleep of many,” Modi said.
However, the person translating his speech did not translate it properly, and it prompted Modi to say: “The message has gone across to whom it was meant”.
The Congress hit back at the Prime Minister, saying even after the Pahalgam terror attack, Modi remains fixated on “disturbing the sleep” of the opposition leaders.
AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said in a post on X, “even after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, our PM remains fixated on disturbing the sleep of opposition leaders instead of confronting the real threat—Pakistan. His priorities are crystal clear: appeasing his real master- Adani”.
“But rest assured, PM, while you’re busy with your distractions, our sleepless nights will be spent holding you accountable,” Veugopal said.
Tharoor, who received Modi on his arrival on Thursday, posted on X:” Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency. Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception.”
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, V D Satheesan, did not attend the commissioning of the Vizhinjam port, protesting the late invitation extended to him for the function.
Satheesan had expressed his ire against the government for not acknowledging the pivotal role played by the previous UDF government led by Oommen Chandy in establishing the port by signing an agreement with the Adani Group and carrying out the initial works.
In March, Tharoor praised the government’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war as an endorsement of India’s deft diplomacy under Modi’s leadership.
Tharoor was also criticised by his party colleague Udit Raj for his reported “no country has 100-per cent foolproof intelligence” remarks after the Pahalgam terror attack. Being a Congressman, how did Tharoor become the BJP’s lawyer and give the ruling party a “clean chit” on the Pahalgam terror attack, Udit Raj wondered. Tharoor hit back at Raj, saying the latter is a former Bharatiya Janata Party MP and “is better qualified to understand who speaks for the BJP”.
