Even as the non-cooperation of Opposition parties on ‘Emerging Kerala’ might have given an inkling to at least some prospective investors that there is something amiss on the ambitious initiative, Shashi Tharoor MP has urged Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to work towards a strategic declaration by the UDF constituent parties that they will not give a call for hartals in future, coinciding with the summit. “Announcing such a decision would help improve the prospects for attracting investment and put additional pressure on other parties to take a more responsible attitude,” the MP said.
Tharoor said that a political party had ironically given a call for a hartal on Wednesday on a investment proposal related to ‘Emerging Kerala,’ referring to the stir against Aranmula airport. Tharoor had always been consistent in his opposition to hartals as it was a mechanism which negates freedom of the people.