The detractors of the United Democratic Front government in Kerala found support from unexpected quarters on Wednesday when defence minister A K Antony, in an uncharacteristically belligerent and strident mood, hit out against the ruling coalition. The inauguration ceremony of the missile integration unit at Brahmos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd, turned the stage for Antony’s open snub to the present dispensation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and industries minister Kunhalikutty, by naming picking former chief minister V S Achuthanandan and his industries minister Elamaram Kareem for special praise. While Achuthanandan was absent that did not stop political tongues from wagging as to what triggered the Union minister to this denunciation.
This should be treated as wake-up call, though a rude one, by the UDF that has been trying to hide its shortcomings on the investment front by hosting events like Emerging Kerala. Antony’s plea of lack of confidence in bringing investment to Kerala can be interpreted as a defence against his inability to source projects to the likes of Brahmos, by pinning the blame on the state government, unmindful that he has opened a Pandora’s box, whereby the advantage has been handed over on a platter to the Opposition.
Antony’s plain speak, his detractors would say, came as much out of a sense of self-preservation, following charges that he did precious little for projects such as Kochi Metro. At another level, they say he never forgave Chandy and Kunhalikutty for acts of omission and commission that led to his unceremonious ouster as chief minister in August 2004. All that is from the realms of conjecture. Antony’s words of candour against his friends cannot be minus a green signal from the party high command. The Kerala government has been put on notice. As if on cue, on Thursday, Antony’s colleague K V Thomas joined the chorus. In the days to come the din can only get shriller.