Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a pointed dig at the Opposition’s INDIA bloc during the grand inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, hinting at internal discomfort within the alliance over the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor at the same event.
Addressing a packed gathering at the port in Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi remarked, “I would also like to say to the chief minister (Pinarayi Vijayan), you are a very strong pillar of the INDI alliance (INDIA bloc). Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here, and today’s event will give sleepless nights to many.”
The remark, delivered with a smile, appeared to take a swipe at the uneasy dynamics within the INDIA bloc, especially as the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala and the Congress are principal rivals in the state. The unusual coming together of leaders from opposing camps at a high-profile central government event seemed to underscore Modi’s political messaging.
However, the moment of political theatre did not end there. The official translator at the event seemed to fumble while conveying Modi’s statement in Malayalam, leading to a humorous follow-up by the Prime Minister.
“Message chala gaya jahan jana tha,” said Modi, drawing laughter and applause from the audience. The statement translates to, “The message has reached where it was meant to.”
The Vizhinjam International Seaport, developed with international collaboration and built to handle large container ships, is a critical infrastructure project for southern India and a potential game-changer for maritime trade.
