Opposition leader should fill holes in his mind: Minister Riyas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The verbal exchange between Minister Mohamed Riyas and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan over potholes on the road has intensified. Riyas on Monday responded sharply to the allegations raised by the opposition leader in a press conference in Kochi. Riyas said that the opposition leader, who is making accusations that are not worthy of his position, should first close the hole in his mind.

"The opposition leader is blaming the PWD even after knowing that the road that caused the accident belongs to the National Highways Authority. VD Satheesan took the stand of supporting the Centre. The pre-monsoon works at Thalassery and Punalur were tendered in May. It is true that the road in Cherai in Paravur, the constituency of the Opposition Leader, was given administrative permission in 2020. As another KIIFB work is going on at the site in parallel, steps have been taken to construct the design road. It is unbecoming of the leader of the opposition to hide the fact knowing this. It is a reality that there are potholes on the roads. The government's policy is to solve it. It requires a good level of unity," Riyas said.

"The opposition leader can criticize the ministers and the government. However, he should not make it personal. Has the opposition leader suffered any pain in the field of social work? The Public Works Department is ready to take up the maintenance works which National Highways Authority cannot carry out," he added.

Riyas said that Union Minister Gadkari's stance on road renovation is positive and that he will meet V Muraleedharan and Gadkari again.