About Us Contact us Kannada

Thiruvananthapuram, July 02: Congress MP Hibi Eden's move to propose shifting of Kerala's state capital to Kochi from Thiruvananthapuram has been widely criticised across political lines, including his own party which rejected it and termed it as ''illogical'' and ''impractical''. 

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala also made it clear that Thiruvananthapuram would remain as the state capital and termed Ernakulam MP Eden's move as ''immature'' and aimed at improving his chances in the general election next year.

The Left party said that no one in his right mind would make such a suggestion in view of all the government departments and facilities available in Thiruvananthapuram. Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, said he completely rejects the proposal by Eden as it is ''illogical''.

He also said there was some ''mischief'' on the part of the Centre in seeking views on the Bill by Eden to shift the state capital even before he was given permission to table it in the House.

''Hibi Eden has the right to move such a Bill, but it is an illogical decision. I completely reject it,'' he said.

He also tweeted -- ''Some light relief for the weekend! Kerala: Congress MP ⁦@HibiEden wants the state capital shifted to Kochi, @CMOKerala notes its impracticality, @ShashiTharoor says 'wholly without merit'.'' K Muraleedharan, Congress MP and son of late party leader and former Chief Minister K Karunakaran, too shared similar views when he said Eden's move without consulting the grand old party was ''unacceptable''.

He said that Thiruvananthapuram was the state capital ever since Kerala came into existence. There were a lot of facilities, like an international airport and places of worship of all faiths, within the city and therefore, there was no question of moving the capital to Kochi.

''I do not know what prompted Eden to make such a proposal, but the state capital cannot be shifted on someone's wish. He should have consulted the party before such a move,'' he said.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan said that while Eden was like a younger brother to him, the moment he came to know about the proposal, he immediately conveyed his ''strong dissatisfaction'' to the Ernakulam MP.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Satheesan said that Eden has been asked to not press the Bill in the Lok Sabha and to withdraw it.

''He will not press the Bill and will withdraw it,'' the LoP said.

Satheesan said that it was a private member's bill and does not indicate the stand of the party which does not approve of the proposal.

''Congress does not want shifting of the capital to Kochi which is pressed for space as it is. Thiruvananthapuram is the best place for it,'' he added.

CPI(M) leaders and state Ministers P Rajeev and V Sivankutty too criticised Eden's move.

Sivankutty said that the state government has already indicated its disagreement regarding the suggestion to the concerned authorities.

''The suggestion is impractical and immature. It will not be allowed,'' he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

Rajeev said the proposal was an indication of Eden's decision to contest the general elections from Ernakulam and nothing more than that. ''His party leadership has criticised his move and rejected it,'' he said.

CPI(M) leader M M Mani was of the view that no one in his right mind would make such a suggestion.

Eden has not yet reacted to the criticism of his decision.

Meanwhile, some members of the BJP's youth wing Yuva Morcha held a protest march to the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram against Eden's decision and also burned his effigy there.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.

Comments

The Hague (PTI): Driven by shifting global geopolitics, India and the Netherlands elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and inked 17 agreements to boost cooperation in defence, critical minerals and other key sectors during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.

In their meeting on Saturday evening, the two prime ministers expressed deep concern over the situation in West Asia, especially its serious implications for the region and the wider world in view of disruptions caused to the global energy supplies and trade networks.

Modi and Jetten also called for freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any "restrictive" measures, and reaffirmed their support for ongoing initiatives in this regard, according to a joint statement.

Roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies pass through this narrow waterway, where shipping has been severely disrupted since February 28, after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine - marked by the ongoing conflict with Russia and regional security developments.

They agreed to continue supporting efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, it added.

Modi landed in The Hague on Friday on a two-day visit as part of a four-nation trip to Europe that is aimed at ramping up bilateral ties in a range of key areas.

Following the Modi-Jetten talks, India and the Netherlands unveiled a "strategic partnership roadmap" to boost ties in trade and investment, defence and security, critical and emerging technologies including semiconductors, space, AI and quantum computing.

The two leaders also launched an ambitious "India-Netherlands roadmap on the development of green hydrogen".

Modi and Jetten also agreed to explore possibilities of establishing a defence industrial roadmap to ensure joint manufacturing of defence equipment, systems, components and other key capabilities through transfer of technology and setting up of joint ventures.

The Netherlands is one of India's largest trading destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade touching USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25. The European nation is India's fourth largest investor with cumulative foreign direct investment of USD 55.6 billion.

The Netherlands, with its world class logistics network also serves as a strategic gateway to Europe for Indian exporters, mainly through the Port of Rotterdam.

In the talks, the two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in science and innovation, sustainability, health, agriculture, water management, climate change and energy transition, maritime development and people-to-people ties.

The agreements inked between the two sides will provide for boosting cooperation in areas of semiconductors, critical minerals, health, water, renewable energy, agriculture and culture among others, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

A key pact signed following the Modi-Jetten meeting was one on migration and mobility, which is expected to facilitate greater movement of Indians to the European nation for jobs and education.

While deliberating on geopolitical developments, the two leaders called for a free, open and peaceful lndo-Pacific, based on respect for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation, and "absence of coercion and conflicts", according to the joint statement.

The remarks came against the backdrop of growing global concerns over China's increasingly assertive behaviour in the region.

Recognising the strategic importance of critical minerals for continued innovation, the two prime ministers expressed their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation across the critical minerals value chain, including exploration and integration of value chains.

Both leaders also welcomed an initiative to connect the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre to the Indian Semiconductor Mission, which aims to support and strengthen the semiconductor sector, according to the joint statement.

On enhancing overall two-way trade, Modi and Jetten emphasised the immense potential for further growth particularly in light of opportunities arising from the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which was signed earlier this year.

In the meeting, PM Modi thanked Jetten for the continued Dutch support to India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.

According to the joint statement, Jetten strongly condemned the “heinous and abhorrent” Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025 - in which 26 people were killed - and extended his country's unwavering support to India in its fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.

The two prime ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called for a "zero tolerance" approach to combat terrorism and rejected double standards in countering the menace, it said.

"There has been significant progress in India-Netherlands ties in the last one decade," Modi said in his televised opening remarks during the meeting with Jetten.

The prime minister said India considers the Netherlands among its most important partners as the historical and people to people relations between the two sides are "deep" rooted.

"Democratic values, market economy and responsible behavior are part of our common approach. Our cooperation in areas of Water, healthcare and education has been making the lives of our people better," he said.

Modi also highlighted India's economic growth.

The prime minister suggested that there should be convergence of the Netherlands' expertise and India's "speed and skill" in every sector.

"We need to take our cooperation in areas of innovation, investment, sustainability and defence to new heights. Under this common vision, we are taking India-Netherlands relations to the level of strategic partnership," Modi said.

All Stories

SC to hear pleas for reviewing wages of priests, temple staff
SC to hear pleas for reviewing wages of priests, temple staff

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea to constitute a judicial commission or an expert committee to review the wages and other benefits given to priests, 'sevadars' and temple staff in state-controlled temples.
J&K: Police intensifies anti-narcotics drive, arrests alleged drug peddler in Anantnag
J&K: Police intensifies anti-narcotics drive, arrests alleged drug peddler in Anantnag

 Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Sunday arrested an alleged drug peddler and recovered over 100 grams of charas from his possession as part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics across the district, officials said.
WHO declares global health emergency over Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda
WHO declares global health emergency over Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths.

Copyright © 2026. Vartha Bharati. All rights reserved