Kerala SEZ: V S wants Politburo to take final call

Last week, the party state committee, in which VS did not take part, had asked the Government to shoot all genuine SEZ applications to the Centre for its final approval. After the meeting, the party had also made its policy on SEZ clear through a series of articles in party mouthpiece Deshabhimani.

But true to his style, Achuthanandan has played his one-upmanship again, plunging the party into another crisis, close on the heels of the controversy over second land reforms.

In a post-Cabinet news briefing, Achuthanandan said the final decision lies with the central leadership and opinions of other constituents of the Left Front about SEZ would be considered before taking a final call, knowing well that the CPI and the RSP are against SEZ.

Reiterating his apprehensions about the real estate interest of SEZ developers,

he stuck to his demand that 70 per cent of SEZ land should be utilised for industrial purpose. But the state unit, under its secretary Vijayan, wanted only 50 per cent of the land for the same.

By taking SEZ to the Politburo, the CM also wants to prove that it is the central leadership that matters to him. During several critical controversies, Achuthanandan had emerged unscathed following the intervention of the high command. Besides, SEZ is another chance for him to gain back the support from Left allies and score a political point over his rivals within the party.

However, party leaders owing allegiance to Vijayan do not attach much significance to the Chief Minister’s new-found love for the central leadership. “Let him take the matter to Delhi. We do not think the Politburo would intervene in the issue in his favour. His opposition would only delay the decision for a couple of weeks. Achuthanandan’s stand that the Government should get a certain amount of equity in a private SEZ was illogical,” sources said.