New Delhi | Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday attacked Left parties and Congress, saying they are not allowing development works for the progress of Kerala, and asserted that the central government has increased the budget by eight times to improve the rail network in the southern state.
Replying to supplementary queries from CPI-M member John Brittas during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the minister also alleged that the "unholy alliance" between the Left and Congress has no intention to complete any project in poll-bound Kerala.
He termed the alliance between these two parties as 'CCP -- Communist Congress Party'.
"The real issue is that between Congress and Left, there is a very interesting alliance. I call it CCP, Communist Congress Party, and their only and only aim is to stop every project which goes on in Kerala," Vaishnaw said.
They have no intention to complete any project, he alleged.
"Rs 1,900 crores have been deposited for land acquisition. We don't know what is the situation of land acquisition. Sabari line, which has been there for so many years... After so much persuasion, finally, the state government has started the land acquisition. Is this the way to serve the people of Kerala?" Vaishnaw asked.
The Union minister noted that Kerala has been ruled by Left parties and Congress from time to time.
"Congress and Left, one by one, they have been in power. That is why I call it CCP, Communist Congress Party," he said, adding that the project approved by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda is being completed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Deve Gowda was sitting in the house at the time.
Vaishnaw said, "Because this, this unholy alliance of Congress and Left has absolutely no intention of doing any development work in Kerala. That is why it is taking so many years to do projects. I will once again tell that this CCP has absolutely no intention of doing any work." In his written reply, the minister highlighted that budget allocation in recent years has increased significantly.
Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the state of Kerala during 2009-14 stood at Rs 372 crore/year. In 2025-26, the budget is Rs 3,042 crore (more than 8 times), he informed the House.
While asking a supplementary question, Brittas said, "One good thing about the railway minister is that he is an expert in showcasing and marketing..." To this, Vaishnaw retorted, saying this is a "derogatory remark".
"John Brittas Ji is a very learned journalist, and he knows how to create a false narrative. So his expertise is in false narratives. That is why he is creating that false narrative," Vaishnaw said.
On a separate query related to the Nemom rail project in Kerala, the minister said it is progressing well.
