"Isn’t This Just Pettiness?" Minister Riyas Mocks Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s Solo Sloganeering At Vizhinjam Port Inauguration
Thiruvananthapuram: A political face-off erupted during the inauguration ceremony of Kerala’s ambitious Vizhinjam International Seaport today (May 2), as Public Works and Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas openly mocked BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar for “petty behaviour” during the event.
The inauguration, held with much fanfare and attended by top dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also saw the presence of several Union and State Ministers. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, representing the BJP State unit in Kerala, was present on stage.
However, his actions arriving hours ahead of the official event and chanting slogans alone on stage drew pointed criticism from Minister Riyas, reported MediaOne.
“While other ministers, including the finance minister, were seated in the audience, a State President of a political party came hours before the event, sat alone on the stage, and began shouting slogans. Isn’t that just pettiness?” Riyas told MediaOne, taking a direct swipe at Chandrasekhar.
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The comments came during a media interaction where Riyas appeared visibly unimpressed with what he saw as a deliberate attempt to politicise the function.
He further added that Chandrasekhar’s opportunity to occupy the stage was made possible only through direct intervention from the Prime Minister’s office.
“Isn’t it undemocratic that such a stage presence was enabled just because someone called from the PMO?” Riyas questioned, adding that the people of Kerala would judge this behaviour for what it is—undignified and unnecessary.
The criticism came after visuals from the event showed Chandrasekhar chanting slogans alongside BJP workers well before the Prime Minister or other ministers had arrived at the venue.
At the venue of #VizhinjamPort inauguration.
Looks like I’m the first one to reach😁, along with 1000s of @BJP4Keralam karyakartas – as we wait for our leader PM @narendramodi ji’s arrival 🙏🏻#Vizhinjam #infra4vikasitakeralam #VikasitaKeralam #PoliticsOfPerformance pic.twitter.com/4OPFdN4rzf
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) May 2, 2025
In the video reported by MediaOne, Chandrasekhar was seen chanting BJP slogans alone on the stage, while party members present in the audience echoed the slogans from the venue.
Riyas, speaking to Kairali News, criticised the situation by saying that while top ministers of Kerala, including the state finance minister, were present in the audience, BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar was seated on the main stage, and this, he argued, reflects why the BJP is not growing in Kerala.” He added that the people of Kerala will not forgive such actions.
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Meanwhile, the Prime Minister used his address to highlight the potential of the Vizhinjam port project, describing it as a moment of pride for Kerala and a milestone for India’s maritime economy.
“This is a historic moment for Kerala. The Vizhinjam Port will ensure our nation’s money stays within our borders. This is a step toward economic self-reliance,” PM Modi said during his keynote speech.
The Vizhinjam Port, located near Thiruvananthapuram, is expected to become a major transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean region.
It marks a critical strategic and economic initiative jointly undertaken by the Kerala government and the central administration.
