'CM didn't lie': Kunhalikutty confirms talks with Tata representatives

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty has backed Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's statement that the Kerala government held discussions with Tata representatives. He said the Chief Minister was telling the truth and confirmed that Tata officials had met with the government.

According to Kunhalikutty, the meeting was related to the continuation of a Tata project that had been initiated during the previous government's tenure. He added that the discussions, held on June 29, had made progress. The minister's office also released photographs of the meeting with Tata representatives.

Kunhalikutty said the controversy over the Chief Minister's announcement of a Rs 10,000-crore Tata investment was based on a misunderstanding. He clarified that the Chief Minister had referred to the total value of Tata's investments and had not made any false claims about the company's visit or discussions.

The clarification comes after criticism from former Industries Minister P. Rajeeve. He had accused Chief Minister Satheesan of taking credit for a project that was launched during the previous government. Rajeeve said the joint venture between Malabar Cements and Artson Engineering Ltd, a company that is part of the Tata Projects Group, to establish a shipbuilding unit at Cochin Port had already been announced by the previous LDF government. He also pointed out that the project was presented during the Invest Kerala 2025 summit and alleged that it was now being reintroduced under the state's Mission Samudra initiative. Kunhalikutty's remarks are seen as confirming that the discussions with Tata were linked to the continuation of the earlier project.