Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has expressed his government’s resolve to stay on course disregarding the ongoing agitations against it.
Speaking at a function organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pattom Thanu Pillai here on Monday, Mr. Chandy, referring to the Opposition Left Democratic Front’s agitation demanding his resignation over the solar scam, said no agitation could change the government’s agenda. Criticising the LDF for stalling Assembly sessions, he said the ruling front too had to bear the responsibility for the truncated sessions.
Mr. Chandy said he has been to New Delhi to participate in an important meeting on food security convened by the Congress leadership. But the media highlighted only political issues.
The Chief Minister said he had succeeded in convincing the Central leadership of the adverse impact that the food security regime would have on Kerala. The National Food Security Bill will be advantageous to States such as Bihar and Rajasthan. Kerala has welcomed the Bill in the context of the benefits that large segments of the country’s population will get. But over 58 per cent of the State’s population will be affected adversely when the Bill is implemented. The Centre has given an assurance that it will take steps to protect the State’s interests, he added.
Eco clearance
Mr. Chandy said he expected environmental clearance for the Kannur airport project within a few days following his discussions with Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan.
“The government’s development programmes have not been affected even for an hour owing to controversies,” he said.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala, referring to the vision of Pattom Thanu Pillai, said that leaders should not be led by the crowd, instead they should lead the crowd. Recollecting the contributions of Thanu Pillai, he said no administrator can remain in power for long if they fail to address issues of the common man.
