Kochi: Speculations are rife that CPM is divided on the issue of Gautam Adani selling 49% stake in the Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group for about $1.4 billion without state government’s knowledge. Senior CPM leader and party central committee member E P Jayarajan’s absence in the party’s central committee meeting in New Delhi on Saturday has led to speculation over differences in the Party over the issue. Jayarajan skipped the meeting seeking leave to undergo Ayurveda treatment for some ailments, media reports said. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is upset over the differences in the Party over the Vizhinjan share issue. Opposition leaders, including former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed fear that the deal with MSC could lead to monopolization over the port’s shipping traffic. Kannur CPM district secretary K K Ragesh, A K Balan, Thomas Isaac are behind Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan. Distancing himself from the party’s allegations of corruption in the deal, Jayarajan said the project was a major asset for Kerala and should be free from controversy. The State government should focus on completing the project in a time bound manner. The priority should be given to protect Kerala’s larger interests, Jayarajan had said the other day. Asked about allegations of corruption raised by K K Ragesh and others, Jayarajan said that anyone who believed corruption had taken place was free to raise such allegations. Adani Ports’ proposal to sell a 49% stake in the Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd to the Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group for approximately $1.4 billion had triggered differences in the Party. The Kerala government expressed displeasure at being kept in the dark as the Concession Agreement requires prior state government approval for any change in ownership or equity. Following public backlash, the Adani Group officially submitted the proposal for the stake transfer to the Kerala government which is examining the matter.
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