Congress MP's proposal to shift Kerala capital to Kochi rejected by everyone including party

Vartha Bharati | 02-07-2023 | 19:21:00 IST

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.

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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala

13-12-2025 ¦ 13-12-2025 IST

Image Credit: PTI

Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.

According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.

The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.

ALSO READ: Cong candidate who moved Kerala HC for name reinstatement in voter list, wins

Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.

"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.

He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.

Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.

LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.

According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.

"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.

He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.

AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.

"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.

Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.

"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.

Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.

"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.

He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.

Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.

"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.

On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.

"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.

Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.

He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.

Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.

"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.

Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.

"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.

CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.

"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.

Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.

"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.

Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.

"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.