Will Congress Protest Against Kerala Government's Inaction Towards Shipping Firm?

Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 (NationPress) The Congress party in Kerala has declared plans for widespread protests in nearly 50 coastal constituencies on June 11, alleging that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government is exhibiting "callous indifference" by failing to initiate criminal actions against the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). This follows the capsizing of their cargo vessel off the Kerala coast on May 24.

The anger from the Congress was ignited by a statement from Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, which emerged after a review with the Chief Minister. The statement indicated that the state government opted not to pursue a criminal case against MSC, despite significant environmental worries stemming from the sinking of the MSC ELSA-3, which was said to be transporting dangerous goods.

In the statement, the government referenced MSC's global standing and underscored the necessity of maintaining Kerala’s goodwill to ensure the company's ongoing operations in the area.

State Congress president Sunny Joseph vehemently condemned this decision and the government’s silence, especially following another cargo ship incident on Monday, where a vessel flagged from Singapore was left abandoned off the Kozhikode coast. Eighteen crew members were rescued, but four remain unaccounted for.

“We are profoundly troubled by the government’s silence and its readiness to absolve the shipping company. This inaction speaks volumes. To awaken the government's conscience, we are planning a protest on June 11,” Joseph stated.

Meanwhile, television news outlets have highlighted the controversy, recalling the CPI(M)’s past criticisms of the Congress-led UDF and the UPA government during the Enrica Lexie episode in 2012, which saw two Italian marines on the Enrica Lexie kill two Indian fishermen, igniting national outrage.

Footage from that time is now being circulated, showcasing former CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and senior leader V.S. Achuthanandan (then Leader of Opposition) admonishing then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for their "soft" handling of the incident and alleged protection of the Italian marines.

A political analyst noted, “This is typical of CPI(M). Their stances shift dramatically based on whether they are in opposition or power. They once opposed tractors, computers, and private universities—only to embrace all three once in control.”

As public scrutiny intensifies and anger rises, the issue is swiftly transforming into a significant political flashpoint, particularly within Kerala’s coastal regions.