THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government presented the resolution in the assembly against the decision of the centre to hand over the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to the Adani Group. The resolution was presented by the chief minister. The chief minister said the demand of the state government was not considered. The government had informed the centre that the amount quoted by the private company would be paid. The centre did not consider it. The Kannur and Kochi International Airports are well maintained by the state government. The Adani Group has no experience in operating the airport. The state has given land for the airport. The chief minister said the price of the land provided free of cost should be treated as the share of the state government.

The privatisation of the Thiruvananthapuram airport is against the interests of the people. This was informed to the Prime Minister. There is no justification for the decision to privatise the airport and will not cooperate with it, the chief minister said.

Soon after the chief minister presented the resolution, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala turned against the government. The chief minister frequently says that the opposition will not stand with them for even reasonable things. The opposition had stood firm for the interests of the state. The government has deceived the people. The government's policy of simultaneously opposing and secretly supporting Adani in the airport issue is a flagrant fraud. What the government did was a criminal conspiracy. The government sought the help of a notorious company involved in Nirav Modi case. The government should clarify why CIAL, which is operating profitably, was not hired as consultancy. Had it not participated in the bid, the government would have sought another way. But the government participated in the bid without consulting anyone. Though we favour the spirit of the resolution, there should no longer be deceptive stances, he said.

The opposition leader accepted an unfortunate remark, replied the chief minister. The opposition measured the government with their habits. The opposition should adhere normal culture. We have stood together on many occasions regarding our state. They were approached as the leading law firm in the country. When a case is handed over to Kapil Sibal, we do not look at his Congress affiliation instead his legal scholarship is searched. The law firm is not involved in any of the money dealings, he said.