Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said if the government was taking a stand supportive of the hotel management on the Kovalam Palace issue, the LDF would launch a strong agitation. Speaking to mediapersons after visiting Kovalam palace on Tuesday, he said it was following popular protests that A K Antony Government had taken over the palace.
He said the hotel and the adjoining land belonged to the government. But the people who purchased the hotel put a claim on the palace and its land. The court verdict was also in favour of the government. While the court verdict was against handing over of the land and palace, the hotel group which bought the hotel sold it to another group.
He pointed out that if the hotel management had any objection to the Division Bench ruling they could go in appeal before the Supreme Court. But they are engaged in an ugly game, he pointed out. He said the palace should be retained as a historic monument. Former Minister M Vijayakumar also accompanied Achuthanandan in the visit. But the district leaders of the CPM were conspicuous by their absence.