Political Tensions Rise in Kerala
“I had not received any official communication inviting him to the function and termed the move ‘political’ and ‘not befitting a democracy’,” stated P A Mohammed Riyas, Kerala’s Public Works Department Minister, regarding his absence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent event in Kochi.
On March 11, 2026, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several ministers notably skipped the official ceremony where PM Modi inaugurated various development projects, including the six-lane expansion of National Highway 66. This absence has sparked a political row, particularly surrounding the exclusion of Minister Riyas.
Riyas expressed his surprise at not being invited, claiming he had not received any official communication regarding the event. His comments reflect a broader sentiment among some state leaders who view the exclusion as politically motivated.
General Education Minister V Sivankutty echoed this sentiment, describing the exclusion of Riyas as “shocking” and “politically motivated”. The tensions have been exacerbated by the backdrop of the Left Democratic Front government’s revival of the National Highway development project after coming to power in 2016.
State Ministers M B Rajesh and K Krishnankutty also did not attend the event, with Rajesh stating, “I am not attending the PM’s programme. Yesterday, I came to know that my name was included in the list. I already have scheduled programmes in my constituency.” This further complicates the narrative surrounding the event.
BJP leaders, however, have defended the protocol followed for the event. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a BJP leader, remarked, “As head of the state, the CM was invited in accordance with the protocol.” They argue that the exclusion of Riyas was unnecessary and politically charged.
Adding to the controversy, BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan alleged that the state government was attempting to consolidate Muslim votes by boycotting the PM’s event. This accusation highlights the ongoing political maneuvering in the state.
The projects inaugurated during the event included significant stretches of National Highway 66, such as the Thalappady-Chengala stretch and the Vengalam-Ramanattukara stretch of the Kozhikode bypass. These developments are crucial for Kerala’s infrastructure and economic growth.
Kerala has been noted as the first state in India where the state government directly invested in national highway development, showcasing its commitment to improving transportation infrastructure.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full implications of this political rift, but the situation continues to evolve as reactions from various stakeholders unfold.
