The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    E Sreedharan opens up on his political ambitions; says Modi is the best PM India has ever had

    Synopsis

    "Not a single industry has come up in Kerala in the last 20 years. If Keralites can go to the Middle East and set up industry, they can do it here too."

    Sreedharan
    E Sreedharan posing with the pen, his classmate TN Seshan fondly left behind for him. It's with this pen, Sreedharan says, Seshan signed several landmark orders as chief election commissioner.
    It is a host of factors like lack of industrial and infrastructure development, misrule and corruption in Kerala that drove him to politics, metro-man Elattuvalapil Sreedharan (88) tells ET's KR Balasubramanyam, at his home in Ponnai, a coastal town in Kerala's Malappuram district.

    Why politics now?
    I have been living in Kerala for the last 10 years, and disgusted with the corruption, misrule and nepotism here. Since I had anyway more or less completed my responsibilities, I thought I could use my experience for the benefit of Kerala. I accepted BJP's invitation as I was not enamoured by either the CPI(M)-led LDF or Congress-led UDF.

    On what basis will you seek votes?
    The BJP did not have a standing in Kerala because there were no leaders of national stature like K Karunakaran or AK Antony. In Kerala, the BJP is branded communal. Why? Is it doing any work that is communal in nature? They don't call Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) a communal party.

    What are your focus areas in Kerala?
    Infrastructure should be our top priority. Kerala never pursued even sanctioned railway projects including suburban and metro projects. For instance, Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line will benefit both Karnataka and Kerala, and would provide Karnataka with access to Kochi port.

    On the industrial front…?
    Not a single industry has come up in Kerala in the last 20 years. If Keralites can go to the Middle East and set up industry, they can do it here too. But if any industry comes up, it is closed within two years. Without industries, how will you create capital, wealth and add jobs. Kerala is a literate state with no jobs. I recently saw an M Tech graduate working as a railway ticket collector. Investors will come to Kerala only if the government promises they will not face any strike. The abolished practice of Noku Koolie (pay for watching goods being unloaded) continues even now. Kochi Metro contractors are victims of this. Industrialist Kochouseph Chittilappilly set up V Guard, and soon he had to shift 80% of his operations outside of Kerala because of a hostile labour climate. My state shows a red flag where we should be waving green flags to investors.

    How do you see the prospects for the BJP in Kerala?
    The BJP has a good chance to win a good number of seats since people are disillusioned with both UDF and LDF. The BJP's vote share has picked up as the recent municipal election results show.

    Did you put any conditions before joining the BJP?
    I did not place any demands, did not even ask for a ticket. I thought people would back BJP seeing the reputation I have earned. Every citizen here carries a public debt burden of Rs 1.2 lakh on his head because the state's finances have collapsed. The next generation is going to suffer if we don't save Kerala from total bankruptcy.

    The recent Union budget has announced support to metro projects in the south...
    I feel the Centre has not understood the importance of the railways and metro. The metro and railway systems are not a business; they are a social service. They help us reduce congestion and pollution. The government should rewrite its metro policy.

    How do you rate the NDA rule under prime minister Narendra Modi?
    In my opinion, Modi is probably the best PM Indian has had so far both governance and integrity-wise. Not a single scandal in seven years. He is fiercely in love with his country, and hard-working. My only grievance is he has picked ministers under pressure from the party. Most of them are not a match for him. He has not been allowed to work in his second term. Any step he takes is met with agitation. For instance, changes in farm laws were a necessity, but has led to protests. The Agriculture Minister should have handled it better.

    How do you see Rahul Gandhi's performance as an MP?
    His performance had not been good at any point of time. I find him lacking in experience and maturity. He was saved because he contested elections from Kerala. Rahul's only agenda has been Modi bashing.


    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    ( Originally published on Feb 28, 2021 )
    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage, Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more

    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage, Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in