The Hindu : Gandhi Park: Fresh threat to disrupt work

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Gandhi Park: Fresh threat to disrupt work

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Sept. 16. The row over the renovation of the Gandhi Park at East Fort erupted again today with the Corporation councillor and Youth Congress leader, Thampanoor Satheesh, renewing his demand to dismantle the toilets constructed near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Satheesh warned that the Tourism Department would be prevented from proceeding with the renovation work, unless the public comfort stations were removed immediately.

Mr. Satheesh said the Tourism Minister's failure to visit the project site demonstrated his contempt for public opinion, which was against the location of the toilets near the statue.

He said Congress party workers would mobilise the public and demolish the toilets if they were not shifted soon.

The controversy had come to a head last month after the DCC took up an agitation against the project. Following several rounds of conciliatory meetings and a debate in the Corporation Council, the stir was temporarily suspended and work on the project resumed after weeks of delay.

The renewed threat to disrupt the work threatens to bog down the project further. The Tourism Department had promised to complete the project and return the park to the City Corporation in time for the Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations on October 2.

Mr. Satheesh said the Government was wasting Rs. 1.6 crores on the project, since the proposed widening of the road at East Fort would claim a portion of the renovated park. He said Mr. Thomas would have to answer for the wastage of public money.

Alleging corruption in the project, Mr. Satheesh said the Tourism Minister was going out of his way to help the private construction company, which was entrusted with the work.

Bid to sideline Karunakaran

Mr. Satheesh said the efforts to sideline the senior Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, would hamper the Congress party's prospects in the Ernakulam by-polls. He said the Tourism Minister's outbursts against Mr. Karunakaran reflected his frustration.

He said Mr. Thomas had defied the Congress and the UDF leadership by calling on the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, in Delhi. Terming it as a breach of discipline, he urged the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, to demand Mr. Thomas' resignation.

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