KERALA:

New Delhi:

The Indian National League (INL), a part of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) coalition government in Kerala, has lauded its leader, Ahammad Devarkovil, who serves as the Minister of Ports in the state cabinet, for initiating a massive international seaport project in Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram.

Marking a historic milestone in the development of Indian port, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan waved the green flag on Sunday to welcome the first-ever ship at the Rs 7,700 crore deep-water international Vizhinjam port.

He was joined by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, Kerala’s port minister Ahammad Devarkovil, Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, various state ministers, and APSEZ CEO Karan Adani.

They waved a green flag, signaling the tugboats to guide the massive Chinese ship, Zhen Hua 15, from the wharf to the docking yard.  This under construction seaport is India’s first deep-water container transshipment port with the capacity to host large cargo ships and the world’s largest luxury cruise ships.

Owned by the Government of Kerala, it will be operated by the Adani Group for 40 years, handling 75 percent of India’s container trans-shipment needs and reducing reliance on ports in other neighboring countries upon full commission.

Emphasizing its international importance, the Chief Minister announced that it would be commissioned by May next year. However, the flagging-off ceremony sparked political controversy, with both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF claiming credit for the project. Congress leaders argued that former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was the driving force behind the project, but the LDF dismissed the claims.

During a press conference at the Press Club of India here on October 16, leaders of the INL spoke on various issues, including the Palestine-Israel conflict, opposition coalition INDIA, the caste census, News Click raids, and the minority character of Aligarh Muslim University.

INL National President Prof. Mohammed Suleiman, Kerala State Chief Ahmed Devarkovil, its All India General Secretary Muzammil Hussain, National Committee Member CP Anwar Sadat, Delhi Head Rafi Ahmed Khan, and General Secretary Qamar Ali addressed the media.

Addressing the press conference, Prof. Suleiman said that India’s support for Israel was tarnishing the country’s international image. He demanded a national-level caste census to ensure the welfare of minority communities and protect their rights. Expressing concerns over the media raids, Prof. Suleiman said that the raids against NewsClick and other journalists were a continuation of the Union government’s attempts to intimidate the media.

The INL, working in 11 states since its establishment in 1994, issued a press release stating its commitment to working nationwide against the Hindutva forces led by Narendra Modi. The statement said, “the party aims to establish a secular and democratic coalition called “INDIA” to eliminate communal and fascist influences from the national political landscape. The INL started its campaign in Kerala as well as other states to make the voters ready to strengthen the anti BJP platform.”

Praising Ahammad Devarkovil, the INL emphasized that in his role as the Minister of Ports, he has showcased his acumen and talent, as evident from Sunday’s ceremony when a large ship from China was anchored at Vizhinham.

Calling on the international community for opening the blockade of Gaza and ensure supply of medicines, food, water and electricity to the suffering people of Gaza, the INL said that the party supported the persecuted Palestinians who were fighting against the illegal occupation of their land by the Zionist regime of Israel. To ensure durable peace an independent, the INL demanded a sovereign Palestine state must be established.

Strongly objecting to what it described as the BJP government’s nefarious designs to abolish the autonomy and minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, the party has called for the reinstatement of the AMU Amendment Act of 1981. Moreover, it demands the prompt commencement of the process to appoint a permanent Vice-Chancellor and the immediate scheduling of elections for the AMU Student Union.

The INL has also announced that Dr. Baseer Ahmed Khan, former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Open University and former Chairman of the AMU Students’ Union, has joined the Indian National League.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Development / by Anwarulhaq Baig / October 17th, 2023