Minister knocks away channel microphones for asking about Lionel Messi; verbal tussle with party members

THRISSUR: Sports Minister V Abdurahiman was triggered by media questions about Lionel Messi. Hibi Eden MP had alleged that there were shady financial transactions under the guise of the campaign about bringing the Argentine football team to Kochi. The minister was angered by the media's questions regarding this. The minister had come to attend the inauguration of a school ground in Erumapetty, Thrissur.

Abdurahiman knocked away the channel mics when the media asked the minister for a response to Hibi Eden's allegations. He then walked away into the school. Former minister A C Moideen, who was with Abdurahiman, also stopped the media. He grabbed the channel mics and told them to behave. The group accompanying the minister also had a verbal tussle with the media.

"Even the future of the Kochi Stadium has become a big question mark. Cricket has disappeared from here. The news that even Kerala Blasters is leaving Kochi is causing concern. The biggest income of the GDCA was the rent paid by Kerala Blasters for the home ground. Now the stadium is in limbo. The qualifications of the companies carrying out the construction work should also be clarified. All the trees around the stadium have been cut down. Local bodies usually have many conditions if trees on the road are to be cut down. Those in charge should clarify whether they have been followed. It should be clarified where the agreement between the GDCA and the sponsor is and under whose supervision the agreement is being implemented," Hibi said.