THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the Vizhinjam International Seaport was dedicated to the nation with a call for development, politics dominated both the speeches of the leaders and the public's reactions at the event. While the Chief Minister claimed credit for the project during his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on outlining the Centre's contributions to Kerala's development momentum.

Minister V.N. Vasavan, in his welcome address, asserted that the realisation of the port was due to the willpower of the Pinarayi governments. He praised the Chief Minister as the architect of the port and a tireless worker whom history would remember.

The Chief Minister subtly suggested that the Central Government had not provided financial assistance for the port. “This is the first time in India that a major port is being developed at the initiative of a state. Kerala is bearing the major portion of the cost — Rs 5,370.86 crore out of a total Rs 8,686 crore. The remaining Rs 2,497 crore is being invested by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd., while the Centre is providing ₹818 crore as viability gap funding, which needs to be repaid,” the Chief Minister stated.

In his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Vizhinjam deep-sea port was being developed at a cost of Rs 8,800 crore. He highlighted the development of national highways, bypasses, railway stations, and airports in Kerala over the past ten years. He also mentioned the launch of Vande Bharat services.

Under the Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, hundreds of crores worth of projects have been sanctioned for Kerala, the PM said. He cited modernisation of fishing harbours like Ponnani and Puthiyappa and stated that thousands of fishermen in Kerala have received Kisan Credit Cards, enabling access to significant financial aid.

During the Prime Minister's speech, BJP workers cheered, and during the Chief Minister’s speech, CPM workers raised slogans. Earlier, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar joined BJP supporters in slogan shouting, which drew criticism from CPM leaders. Minister V.N. Vasavan called it a breach of political decorum and stated that the inauguration stage does not belong to any single party. He described the behaviour as narrow-minded and petty. However, BJP workers claimed that all Chandrasekhar did was greet supporters with a raised fist.

Kerala is progressing rapidly: Modi
The Prime Minister said that in the past ten years, Kerala has made rapid progress not only in port infrastructure but also in highways, railways, and airports. Long-delayed projects like the Kollam and Alappuzha bypasses were completed by the Central Government. He mentioned the introduction of modern Vande Bharat trains and emphasised that port cities along India's coastline would be key drivers of the country's prosperity and progress toward a “Developed India 2047” vision.