Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 15 (PTI) Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday accused the Kerala government of maintaining an “ambiguous” stand on the proposed transfer of a stake in the Vizhinjam Seaport project, alleging that Chief Minister V D Satheesan had failed to give a factual reply to the concerns raised by the LDF.
In a letter to the CM, Vijayan said Satheesan had responded with “baseless allegations” instead of addressing the issues surrounding the proposed transfer of shares by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd.
The letter came shortly after Satheesan rejected the CPI(M)’s allegation that the proposed transfer of a 49 per cent stake in the Vizhinjam project to Mediterranean Shipping Company was part of a “big deal”.
“The CM should not forget that, under the concession agreement, the Adani group has only the right to operate and maintain the Vizhinjam project, while the port remains entirely owned by the Government of Kerala,” Vijayan said.
He alleged that the CM was trying to “sidestep the issue” by suggesting that the government was not a shareholder in the concessionaire company and urged him to make it clear that the state would protect the port and “not hand it over to corporate interests”.
Rejecting Satheesan’s criticism of the Vizhinjam Conclave held during the LDF government’s tenure in 2025, Vijayan, who was the CM at the time, said linking the event to the proposed share transfer was a “malicious allegation”.
“The Vizhinjam conclave was a forum to discuss the port’s operational efficiency and industrial growth. No discussion on the Adani group’s proposed share transfer took place during the LDF government’s tenure. The files of the ports department will make that clear,” he said.
“It is unbecoming of a chief minister to spread speculation and rumours despite these facts,” the opposition leader added.
Referring to clause 5.9 of the concession agreement, Vijayan alleged that the proposed transaction violated the contract.
“There are legal restrictions on transferring shares in Vizhinjam to a company that has an equity stake in another port within a radius of 250 kilometres. The Adani group’s move involving MSC, which has full ownership of the Tuticorin port, violates the agreement,” he said.
He questioned the government’s handling of the issue.
“The government’s reluctance to take a clear stand, its attempt to shift the blame to the previous government, its silence after the Adani Group wrote to SEBI without prior government approval, and the delay in issuing government orders have created serious doubts,” Vijayan claimed.
He said that under clause 5.8.1 of the concession agreement, the concessionaire was bound to ensure “non-discriminatory access” to the port for all users and that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure strict compliance with the agreement.
“The state’s interests should not be sacrificed by extending undue concessions to the company. Any negative approach by port operators towards the presence of the armed forces, in a manner that affects national security, should be viewed seriously,” he said.
Reiterating that Vizhinjam Port was “an asset of Kerala”, Vijayan demanded strict enforcement of the concession agreement and strong action against the Adani group for the alleged violations of the contract.
“We will continue to support development projects. But we will strongly oppose any move that goes against the interests of the state,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan said the government had not taken any decision on the proposed share transfer and that the matter was under examination by an Empowered Committee headed by the chief secretary.
The CM accused the previous LDF government of waiving about Rs 219 crore in penalties that Adani Port was liable to pay for delays in completing the project. PTI TGB SSK
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