Suresh Gopi Credits Keralam CM Satheesan for Speedy Project Clearances

Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi on Thursday credited Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the Congress-led UDF government with extending cooperation on development projects he had proposed, describing the current level of support as a departure from what he experienced under the previous Left front administration.

Speaking to reporters, the Thrissur MP said the Chief Minister's office had been responsive to project requests since the new government assumed power. "Whatever is requested from the Chief Minister, he responds immediately," he said, adding that the backing a Chief Minister ought to give an MP or a Union Minister in delivering public infrastructure had been missing for a decade and was now forthcoming.

Mr. Gopi said three projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme were among his long-cherished initiatives and had been secured after he became a Union Minister. He said the projects were not part of the original list and had to be pursued before they were approved.

On the Thrissur Sakthan Market and two other proposals, he said the departments concerned had stepped forward after the Chief Minister issued an ultimatum. One of the three has been cleared, while the remaining two are still pending, he added.

Asked about the LDF's allegation of a tie-up between the Congress-led UDF and the BJP, Mr. Gopi rejected the suggestion that political alignment should be read into administrative cooperation on development. He pointed to a ₹99.7-crore Swadesh Darshan project for Thrissur, saying its benefits would reach residents and traders directly, and that acknowledging the Chief Minister's support for it should not be given a different political colour.