PM Modi takes swipe at Congress: Sleepless nights to many

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (L), Gautam Adani and others at the newly-inaugurated Vizhinjam Seaport, in Kerala, on Friday. Pic/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a swipe at the Congress, saying the presence of its MP Shashi Tharoor at the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport here will give "sleepless nights" to many.

Modi on Friday officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport, here, which was completed at an estimated cost of Rs 8867 crore.

The prime minister also described Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was also present at the inauguration, as a "pillar" of the opposition INDIA bloc. "I would like to say to our chief minister, you are a big and strong pillar of the INDI Alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here. Today's event will take away the sleep of many," Modi said.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly V D Satheesan did not attend the commissioning of the Vizhinjam port, protesting the late invitation extended to him for the function. The deep-water port, developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, is expected to transform India's role in international trade and shipping.

Modi asserted that Indian money would now serve India, and the funds that once flowed out of the country would instead generate new economic opportunities for Kerala and the people of Vizhinjam.

"Today, the Government of India is committed to further strengthening this channel of economic power," Modi said, adding, "India's coastal states and port cities will become key centres for the growth of a developed India."

Meanwhile, Congress hit back at Modi for his "sleepless nights to many" swipe, saying they will continue to hold him accountable for issues like the Pahalgam terror attack and caste census. "Even after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, our PM remains fixated on disturbing the sleep of opposition leaders instead of confronting the real threat, Pakistan. His priorities are crystal clear: appeasing his real master - Adani," Congress leader K C Venugopal said.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever