Vizhinjam Port Inauguration Becomes a Political Showdown Over Credit and Legacy in Kerala
The formal commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi became more than just a celebration of infrastructure.
It ignited a political contest over who truly deserves credit for bringing the landmark project to life, with legacy, recognition, and regional pride at the heart of the debate.
Sharing the dais with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, PM Modi used the occasion to take a pointed jab at the Opposition.
Looking toward Vijayan and Tharoor, he remarked, “Your presence will give sleepless nights to many.” When the on-stage translator missed the nuance, Modi followed up cryptically, “The message has gone across to whom it was meant.”
The comment was widely interpreted as a political dig, especially given that Vijayan is a key figure in the INDIA Opposition bloc and Tharoor is a prominent Congress leader.
The visual of the three leaders from different political spectrums sharing the stage highlighted the complex, often competitive, undercurrents in Indian politics, particularly when it comes to claiming credit for development projects.
Congress Remembers Oommen Chandy’s Role
While the event was presented as a national achievement, Congress leaders quickly responded by highlighting the foundational role played by the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Widely regarded as the man who initiated the Vizhinjam port project during the UPA era, Chandy’s contribution was strongly defended by his colleagues.
Congress MLA Ramesh Chennithala paid tribute, stating, “Remembering dear Oommen Chandy today. He is the real architect of Vizhinjam Port, without whom this port would not have become a reality.”
Echoing this sentiment, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalled visiting the site with Chandy and Shashi Tharoor in June 2011 to kickstart the project.
Tharoor himself, speaking a day before the inauguration, expressed pride in his long-standing association with Vizhinjam. “Looking forward to PM Modi officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception,” he said.
A Strategic and Commercial Milestone
Developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) under a public-private partnership, Vizhinjam Port is India’s first deep-sea transshipment hub and is expected to significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign ports for transshipment services.
The facility’s strategic location near international shipping lanes makes it a crucial addition to India’s maritime infrastructure.
Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani described the inauguration as a moment where “history, destiny, and possibility converged,” calling the port “India’s gateway to the world.”
He emphasized its transformation from a decades-old dream into a state-of-the-art, automated seaport.
Karan Adani, MD of APSEZ, underlined the port’s growing operational strength. “When we began, many questioned whether Vizhinjam would have sufficient demand. Today, we’re handling nearly 100,000 container moves each month,” he noted.
He further positioned the port within a larger strategic framework, stating, “With Mundra and Vizhinjam on the west coast, and Haifa in Israel as part of the exit node of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), we are well placed to support global trade routes.”
The Bigger Picture
As the port prepares to handle its first full-scale transshipment operations, it symbolizes not only a major infrastructural win for Kerala and India but also reflects the complexities of credit politics in development narratives. While the physical port is now operational, the debate over whose vision made it possible continues to simmer, echoing far beyond Kerala’s coastline.
