The Hindu : Kerala News : Ahmed given a rousing reception

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 24, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Ahmed given a rousing reception

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, MAY 23. A rousing reception was accorded to the Union Minister of State, E. Ahmed, as he landed at the airport at Karipur, near here, this morning.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) cadres had stormed the domestic terminal to receive Mr. Ahmed couple of hours before his arrival. Mr. Ahmed was received by the Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, the Education Minister, Nalakath Soopy, the Public Works Minister, M.K. Muneer, and the Minister for Local Bodies, Cherkalam Abdulla. The District Collector, T.O. Sooraj, was also present.

There was a huge crowd of IUML workers and public at the airport. In the melee, the windowpanes of the pre-paid taxi counter at the domestic terminal were shattered.

Mr. Ahmed was accompanied on the flight by two IUML Rajya Sabha MPs, M.P. Abdusamad Samadani and P.V. Abdul Wahab.

Mr. Ahmed had come to attend the marriage of Syed Muner Ali Shihab, son of the State president of the IUML, Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Ahmed drove straight to the Thangal's residence at Panakkad in Malappuram.

Posters depicting the Thangal congratulating Mr. Ahmed on his elevation as Union Minister of State were seen on the walls near the Thangal's residence. When Mr. Ahmed's convoy reached the there, IUML workers burst firecrackers. The Thangal presented a bouquet to Mr. Ahmed and congratulated him for his new position.

Among those who greeted Mr. Ahmed at the wedding function included the Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, and the Palakkad DCC president, V.S. Vijayaraghavan.

Mr. Ahmed while talking to reporters said that he would not show any differentiation in the matter of development. The development of the State as a whole would be given priority and he would strive to fulfil the aspirations of the people, he said.

Reacting to the BJP leader, O. Rajagopal's statement that it was unfortunate the League was included in the Union Ministry as it was a communal party, Mr. Ahmed said it was known in the last election who was dangerous to the country; it was known in Thiruvananthapuram and, in the case of the NDA, in the whole country. Hence, it would be good if Mr. Rajagopal did not repeat such issues, he said.

Mr. Ahmed returned to New Delhi in the evening.

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