The model code of conduct enforced during elections often gives those at the helm of affairs, especially Ministers, a tough time. Now that elections to the local government institutions have been announced, those in power are under the hawk eyes of the State Election Commission (SEC). Ministers and officials need to be careful not to cross the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ drawn by the SEC or risk being pulled up for model poll code violation.
If it were not for the model code, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government would have launched construction of the Vizhinjam international multi-purpose deep water seaport on November 1 with hoopla appropriate to the big moment. With the model code kicking in, the inauguration would take place only later. But those in government are reluctant to fall in line and let go of the media moment when it comes to anything to do with the big ticket project, though not with happy endings.
The other day, a high-level meeting was held at the government secretariat to review progress of work on the project. The media was invited as the meeting was being attended by Ports Minister K. Babu, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson and State Planning Board vice chairman K.M. Chandrasekhar, among others. But, those who did so forgot that, in these days of live TV, there is little that remains away from the stern gaze of the SEC.
When the live footage of Mr. Babu’s interaction with the media about the outcome of the meeting began appearing on TV screens, the SEC was quick to intervene and direct the Minister to cut it out. The Minister had to end the media briefing abruptly with a sheepish explanation that he was not aware that it amounted to breach of the model code. The media was hustled out of the meeting hall and that brought the curtains down on what could have ended in a warning from the SEC to the government.
Call it an election gimmick before the model code of conduct for the three-tier local body polls came into force or the proactive response of the administration to a long-cherished dream of the people. The State government's decision to sanction Rs.29 crore for the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu road widening project has left those who have been agitating for early commencement of the project work speechless.
Deftly done, an order dated October 1, was issued by Public Works Department Secretary A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, saying that the government had given administrative sanction for Rs.25 crore to acquire land and another Rs.4 crore to construct a compound wall to prevent encroachments on government land falling in the alignment of the 8.4-km Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu stretch on National Highway 766.
In fact, the order was a follow-up of a Cabinet decision earlier. However the order was packaged in such a way that it would be appreciated by Kozhikode city’s residents. It also mentioned how District Collector N. Prasanth had sent several reminders seeking Rs.306.5 crore to acquire 7.3632 hectares for the road widening project.
The road widening project, which is being implemented by the Kerala Road Fund Board under the Kozhikode City Road Development Project, has been hanging fire for the past five years. The Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Action Council, led by historian M.G.S. Narayanan, has been spearheading its third stage of agitation from October 2. That is when the government came up with the order, leaving everybody guessing about its real intentions, but none with sufficient ground to question its motives either.
The action council was planning to lay siege to the government land on October 15 and picketing the stretch from Malaparamba to Vellimadukunnu on the highway on October 30. All those plans have been put on the backburner with the government order. One reason being given out by the office-bearers for postponement of the stir plans is that many of the action council activists are involved in work related to the three-tier local body polls. Whatever be it, the government has been able to silence its critics on the road project temporarily till the polls are over and that cannot but have its political dividends to offer.
With inputs from S. Anil Radhakrishnan (Thiruvananthapuram) and Biju Govind (Kozhikode)
