Kerala - Alappuzha   

Sand mafia behind UDF defeat: Sudheeran

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, SEPT. 12. The Congress leader and former MP, V.M. Sudheeran, has said that nobody should think that the project for mining mineral sand from the coastal areas of Alappuzha could be implemented when the United Democratic Front (UDF) Government was ruling the State.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the UDF Alappuzha district committee here on Saturday to felicitate the Tourism Minister, K.C. Venugopal, Mr. Sudheeran said the mineral sand lobby had worked to defeat the UDF in Alappuzha during the last General Elections.

He said though he did not participate in the oath taking ceremony of the Oommen Chandy ministry he could not simply miss the reception given by the public to Mr. Venugopal. Referring to the statements made by CPI(M) leaders that Mr. Venugopal, who participated in the stir against mineral sand-mining, should take initiative as a member of the State cabinet to thwart efforts to get permission for mineral sand mining, Mr. Sudheeran said Mr. Venugopal did not need advice from anybody on the issue.

Antony praised

Lavishing praise on the former Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, Mr. Sudheeran said the Antony Government had implemented many development projects in Alappuzha district that would change the quality of life in the district in the coming days.

He noted that the tourism ministry would provide opportunities to Mr. Venugopal to develop Alappuzha town, which was at present in a backward state.

The KPCC vice president, A.C. Jose, who inaugurated the meeting, said the Congress party would stand united to support the Oommen Chandy ministry.

In his reply speech, Mr. Venugopal said he would work for the overall development of Alappuzha district in general and Alappuzha town in particular.

Earlier, Mr. Venugopal was accorded a rousing reception by the UDF workers.

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