THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came with a controversial response on Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the capital city. The chief minister expressed doubt as to why the union minister, who is in charge of external affairs, came to see the flyover. It is heard that Jaishankar has been entrusted with the responsibility of BJP’s win in the Kazhakootam constituency. Pinarayi also said that he understands why the union minister came to see the flyover in Kazhakootam. The union minister had personally assessed the progress of the flyover construction along with the BJP leaders. The chief minister sarcastically said that some people are coming with the claim of national road development by referring to this. The chief minister was speaking at a programme held at Kesavadasapuram KSSPU Hall.

Meantime, the issue has snowballed into a controversy after Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan replied to the chief minister. Muraleedharan asked why is the chief minister showing discomfort on union minister's visit to the capital city. He retorted that a foreign minister is not a minister who lives abroad permanently. He also asked the chief minister to change this understanding.

Jaishankar had the other day reviewed the progress of the construction of the Kazhakootam flyover. The minister visited the flyover and inquired about its progress from national highway project director Pradeep Kumar and regional officer B L Meena. The 2.7 km flyover is being constructed as part of the Kazhakoottam-Karode bypass. With the completion of the flyover, the traffic jam at Kazhakoottam junction on the national highway will be eased. The authorities have decided to open the flyover, which is 90 % complete, to the traffic immediately.

The work of the approach road in the Technopark area is in its final stages. The work of the approach road at Chanthavila is going on. BJP state president K Surendran, district president V V Rajesh, leaders C Sivankutty, S Suresh and others were also with the minister. Union Minister Jaishankar will be convening a press meet later today. He is expected to reply to the chief minister’s remarks.