Scheme launched amid breach of protocol allegations
TNN | Jan 16, 2019, 08:46 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated works at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple under Swadeshi Darshan schemeTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, inaugurated the first phase of works under Swadeshi Darshan scheme at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in the capital, even as several LDF and UDF leaders alleged breach of protocol and ‘politicization of the official function’.
After unveiling a plaque to inaugurate the project which comprises construction of various facilities – heritage walk footpath, renovation of Padmatheertham pond, electrification, biotoilets, bathrooms, security systems and software for digital museum estimated at Rs 75.88 crore – Modi spent another halfan-hour for darshan at the temple and sought blessings, before returning to New Delhi.
This is the second time Modi is visiting the famed temple. His first visit was way back in 2013 when he had been the chief minister of Gujarat.
Governor P Sathasivam, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders – including Union minister of state for tourism Alphons Kannanthanam, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran, mayor VK Prashanth, local MP Shashi Tharoor and local MLA VS Sivakumar were present at the eastern entrance of the temple to receive Modi, who reached at around 7.30 pm.
The leaders including the mayor, Tharoor and Sivakumar alleged that there was a breach of protocol and politicization of the event, ‘by not inviting them for the function’. “This Swadeshi Darshan scheme is linked to the smart city project. It wasn’t proper not to have invited us, including the local MP and the local MLA for this inaugural function,” said the mayor. They also alleged that priority was given to BJP leaders, thus politicizing the government function.
Among the Swadeshi Darshan projects being implemented in the state are Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Wagamon-Thekkady circuit (Rs 76.35 crore), Sabarimala-Erumely-Pamba-Sannidhanam (Rs 99.99 cr), Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple-Aranmula-Sabarimala (Rs 92.22 cr), Malabar river cruise (Rs 80.37 cr) and Aruvikkara-Kunnumpuram-Chempazhanthy Sree Narayana Guru circuit (Rs 69.47 crore).
After the temple visit, Modi reached international airport and flew back to New Delhi.
After unveiling a plaque to inaugurate the project which comprises construction of various facilities – heritage walk footpath, renovation of Padmatheertham pond, electrification, biotoilets, bathrooms, security systems and software for digital museum estimated at Rs 75.88 crore – Modi spent another halfan-hour for darshan at the temple and sought blessings, before returning to New Delhi.
This is the second time Modi is visiting the famed temple. His first visit was way back in 2013 when he had been the chief minister of Gujarat.
Governor P Sathasivam, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders – including Union minister of state for tourism Alphons Kannanthanam, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran, mayor VK Prashanth, local MP Shashi Tharoor and local MLA VS Sivakumar were present at the eastern entrance of the temple to receive Modi, who reached at around 7.30 pm.
The leaders including the mayor, Tharoor and Sivakumar alleged that there was a breach of protocol and politicization of the event, ‘by not inviting them for the function’. “This Swadeshi Darshan scheme is linked to the smart city project. It wasn’t proper not to have invited us, including the local MP and the local MLA for this inaugural function,” said the mayor. They also alleged that priority was given to BJP leaders, thus politicizing the government function.
Among the Swadeshi Darshan projects being implemented in the state are Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Wagamon-Thekkady circuit (Rs 76.35 crore), Sabarimala-Erumely-Pamba-Sannidhanam (Rs 99.99 cr), Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple-Aranmula-Sabarimala (Rs 92.22 cr), Malabar river cruise (Rs 80.37 cr) and Aruvikkara-Kunnumpuram-Chempazhanthy Sree Narayana Guru circuit (Rs 69.47 crore).
After the temple visit, Modi reached international airport and flew back to New Delhi.
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