The Opposition United Democratic Front on Tuesday registered its protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s refusal to meet its delegation even while giving appointment to Bharatiya Janata Party State leaders during his tour of the cyclone-hit areas here.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, along with KPCC president M.M. Hassan, Janata Dal (U) leader Surendran Pillai, RSP leader Shibu Babu John, CMP leader C.P. John and IUML leader Beemapally Rasheed, told mediapersons that the Prime Minister’s action was discrimination and politically motivated.
Mr. Chennithala said he followed all procedures in seeking the Prime Minister’s appointment to brief him about the Ockhi disaster and present the UDF’s stance on relief and rehabilitation issues.
The Opposition leader’s office later said it received the Prime Minister’s intimation about his readiness to meet the UDF delegation just 15 minutes before the appointed time of 5.30 p.m. at the Guest House. The message came in late, by which time most of the UDF leaders had dispersed .
Moreover, it would have been impossible for the UDF leaders to reach the Guest House at such short notice owing to the security and traffic regulations.
The UDF demanded a ₹2,000-crore special package for relief and rehabilitation of the cyclone-hit. The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister by Congress legislator V.S. Sivakumar on behalf of the coalition, besides other demands, wanted the Prime Minister to consider establishing a separate fisheries ministry at the Centre.
