The upcoming PM event in Kochi, scheduled for March 11, 2026, was initially anticipated to be a significant occasion for the inauguration of national highway projects in Kerala. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when it was announced that key members of the Kerala government, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Public Works Department Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, would not attend.
Decisive Moment
The boycott stems from the exclusion of P.A. Mohamed Riyas from the invitation list, which the Kerala government interpreted as a breach of protocol. This decision led to the withdrawal of participation from other ministers, including Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, who cited previous security issues at a PMO event as a contributing factor to his absence.
Immediate Effects
As a result of this boycott, the PM event will proceed without the participation of the Kerala cabinet members, a move that underscores the growing tensions between the state government and the central administration. Riyas remarked, “The PWD minister has been excluded, while the BJP state president has been invited,” highlighting the perceived political bias in the invitation process.
Expert Perspectives
Political analysts suggest that this situation reflects deeper issues within Kerala’s political dynamics, especially as the Prime Minister’s visit coincides with the campaign for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The Kerala government has invested ₹5600 crore in ongoing national highway expansion projects, which makes the event particularly significant for local development.
Furthermore, Benny Behannan, a Congress leader, expressed his reluctance to endorse the BJP’s political campaign, stating, “I did not want to endorse the political campaign of the BJP.” This sentiment resonates with the broader opposition to the central government’s approach in Kerala.
With the Prime Minister scheduled to spend approximately four hours in Kerala, the event will still include the inauguration of key development projects and an NDA rally. However, the absence of state ministers could impact the local political narrative and the relationship between the state and central governments.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential repercussions from this political standoff, but the implications for both the state and national political landscapes are significant.
