'Joint game' being played on Kochi Metro issue: Kodiyeri

KANNUR: Deputy opposition leader and CPI (M) politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath were playing a 'joint game' in connection with the issues related to the appoint of Delhi Metro for the works of the Kochi Metro. Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a function before the District Collectorate here, Kodiyeri said Chief Minister was under the shadow of suspicion in this issue. He said if the UDF Government's first priority was to give the work of Kochi Metro to Delhi Metro, then why the government had sent Chief Secretary to discuss with a Malaysian company.

Kodiyeri also pointed out that how the Chief Secretary visited a foreign country without the consent of the Chief Minister. So Chief Minister was liable to clear the suspicion over him. Metroman Sreedharan had disclosed that about 65 lakh were lost per day due to the delay of project of 6,000 crore, but no government official had said what was the main obstruction to hand over the works to Delhi metro. Kodiyeri alleged that UDF government was trying to make controversies over the issue. He also said CPI (M) would protest against the UDG government's move to sabotage Land Reforms Act. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also addressed a fast agitation organized by the joint rank holders association of the PSC, to protest against the hike of pension age and withheld the new appointment, before the district collectorate. DYFI state unit Secretary T V Rajesh, MLA, inaugurated the agitation. Leaders of various youth organizations leaders also addressed the fast agitation.