CPI(M), BJP on collision course over Keezhattur

Gadkari’s promise on alternatives to the alignment of Taliparamba bypass

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are all set for a collision course in the aftermath of the assurance of Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to examine alternatives to the controversial alignment of the Taliparamba bypass passing through Keezhattur at a meeting with local agitators against the alignment arranged under the initiative of the BJP leadership here.

The CPI(M) and the BJP, which has been backing the agitation of Vayalkilikal, a group local activists comprising mostly former CPI(M) workers and party sympathisers of Keezhattur, a CPI(M) stronghold, have been at loggerheads over the agitation launched by Vayalkilikal against the bypass alignment alleging that it would destroy paddy fields and water resources.

While the BJP leadership here viewed the outcome of the meeting of the Vayalakilikal activists and BJP leaders with Mr. Gadkari in New Delhi on August 3 as a setback for the CPI(M) leadership here which has been batting for the final alignment, the CPI(M) here portrays it as a travesty.

“Mr. Gadkari asked the State government to take steps to accelerate National Highway development and the government acted in accordance with that direction,” the CPI(M) district secretary P. Jayarajan said in a statement here. Holding the discussion with the Minister in New Delhi after the issuance of final land acquisition 3D notification exposed the BJP’s ‘phony face,’ he said adding that Mr. Gadkari had not given any assurance in the discussion on Friday that the existing alignment would be changed.

Mr. Gadkari had only assured that a committee of officials would be appointed to examine the technical side of the alignment, he said noting that the notification had been issued after examination of reports of previous panels.

The CPI(M) stand is that examination of the alignment after the final notification was issued is to deceive the Vayalkilikal and the public. The party sees the BJP’s involvement in the bypass issue as an attempt to exploit the concerns of the people when their land is acquired for developmental projects. The BJP said that its support for the Vayalkilikal was not political.

“Activists of the Vayalkilikal are also CPI(M) workers and we are supporting their cause because it is an important cause,” said BJP district president P. Sathyaprakash who was present at the meeting in New Delhi on Friday. The CPI(M) had been saying that it was with the farmers and common people and on the Keezhattur issue, it changed its stand as it refused to be with the farmers and common people, he said.