Antony Raju publically expresses dissatisfaction over not being invited to flag-off ceremony; electric buses are my baby, says former Transport Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Transport Minister Antony Raju has made his dissatisfaction against Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar public. The former minister indirectly criticized Ganesh Kumar on the inauguration day of the new electric double-decker bus. The flag-off ceremony was held at Vikas Bhavan Depot, Thiruvananthapuram. He said that the new electric buses were his baby and that he was not disappointed about not being invited to the flag-off ceremony.

"When I was the Transport Minister, I held discussions regarding the Smart City project and decided to purchase 103 electric buses and two electric double-decker buses after allocating 100 crores. The first double-decker reached the state in the first week of January itself. The next one arrived in the second week. The buses were originally supposed to start running in January itself. The vehicles were lying idle for a month," Antony Raju said.

"As I was passing this way, I saw that the two buses were ready for the inauguration ceremony. Officials who contacted me had told me that the buses would be flagged off together at Nayanar Park in Putharikandam Maithanam. Now only am I learning that the flag-off ceremony will be held here. The heart of Thiruvananthapuram city is East Fort- Thampanoor road. Last time, the Chief Minister flagged off 50 buses at Valiyashala near East Fort. Why is the flag-off ceremony being held in an empty corner instead of being held there?" he asked.

"The new electric buses are my baby. So, I came here out of curiosity to see. I don't think the flag-off was unknowingly moved outside my constituency. Anyway, the buses will have to ply in my constituency. I don't know whether the stepfather is coming for the flag-off. I'm not disappointed about not being invited to the ceremony. All these buses were purchased when I was the minister. When they hit the road, I feel the joy of a father when his baby gets delivered," he added.