THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP leader M.S. Kumar has demanded the resignation of Port Minister M. Vijayakumar owning moral responsibility for the government’s failure in handling the bids for the Vizhinjam port project in a flawless manner.

He alleged that a Polit Bureau member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had influenced the government in awarding the tender to Lanco Kondapalli Power Ltd, ignoring the claims of Zoom Developers.

The decision to award the contract to the Andhra Pradesh-based company had triggered an agitation by local residents. While the company said the project could be set up only in 2,700 acres, Zoom Developers had offered to complete it in 60 acres, by reclaiming the sea.

The government was aiming at a real estate deal by awarding the contract to the Andhra company. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan should clarify his stance on the Vizhinjam issue.

Source: The Hindu