V.D.Satheesan slams attack on Congress protestors; expresses concerns about Vizhinjam port project

Deploring the alleged attack on Congress party activists in Payyannur on Saturday (January 24, 2026) by CPI(M) workers, the Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan warned of intensifying the Congress’ agitation seeking accountability in the allegations raised by CPI(M) district committee member V. Kunhikrishnan regarding the ‘embezzlement’ of the ‘martyr fund’ of Dhanraj, his slain party activist.

On the alleged statement by an area secretary of the CPI (M) that his party activists would attack whoever took out such protest marches, Mr Satheesan said that this tendency to indulge in violence shows the ‘inimitable attitude’ of that party to criticism. Such continuing ‘goondaism’ shows the beginning of the end of the CPI(M), he said and pointed to that party’s district committee member fearing a T.P. Chandrasekharan-type death in the wake of his allegations regarding funds embezzlement.

Sabarimala theft

Mr Satheesan further expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing SIT probe into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple. “The delay in filing the chargesheet within the 90 day period would result in all the accused persons getting statutory bail, after which they would be in a position to destroy all evidence pertaining to the missing gold.”

High speed trains

Stating that there is dire need to improve the speed of trains in Kerala, he said that the State Government’s SilverLine semi high speed rail project failed to kick off for want of a comprehensive DPR. An in-depth environmental impact assessment (EIA) report ought to have been readied, especially since the embankment beneath the proposed rail line was estimated at around 30 feet height in many places. A UDF sub committee that studied the proposal had termed the project as impractical, since climate change related issues are already a threat for Kerala. In this situation, alternatives like straightening of steep curves, and the subsequent laying two more tracks running parallel to the existing tracks, need to be probed in order to speed up trains.

Vizhinjam port

To a question on Vizhinjam port development, Mr Satheesan termed as contradictory the CPI(M) trying to take credit for the project, after terming it as a Rs 6000 cr. real-estate project in 2012, when the UDF set the project in motion. The project is now running behind schedule by five years, while proper road and rail ‘outreaches’ have not been readied. Even worse, six assurances, including a fisheries harbour for fishers from the region and a growth corridor, have not been realised so far.

Mr Satheesan termed the allegations baseless about Punarjani, Mr Satheesan’s project to rehabilitate flood victims. The sponsors handed over the requisite funds directly to the contractors, and there are proper accounts for this. The VACB and the Kerala High Court had given a clean chit for the project, he added.