Addressing journalists in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor remarked that the land on which the structures were constructed was government property. “Initially, the land belonged to the government, and individuals were residing there without authorization. Additionally, it served as a garbage dump, and toxic waste had polluted the water, rendering it unsuitable for habitation,” he stated.
Tharoor mentioned that notifications had been sent to the residents prior to the demolition. He expressed that it was unjust to politically frame the issue solely based on the poverty of the affected individuals. “The government has resolved to offer temporary housing and has guaranteed permanent accommodation within five to six months,” he highlighted.
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According to Tharoor, since a resolution has been identified, there’s no need to incite the matter unnecessarily. “There may be shortcomings in the relocation process, and differing opinions on its execution may arise. However, a commitment has been made to find a solution,” he noted.
Regarding legal directives against alleged ‘bulldozer’ evictions, Tharoor stated that all actions should be performed lawfully. “The Karnataka government has conducted this in accordance with court orders. Notifications were issued, and in some instances, they were sent multiple times before the demolition occurred,” he mentioned.
He indicated that he had not traveled to Karnataka and therefore lacked the authority to render a conclusive opinion, but emphasized that the situation should be viewed considering these facts.
On the BJP’s success in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which is part of his parliamentary constituency, Tharoor remarked that he would address related concerns within the party.
He recognized that the BJP had effectively campaigned for their win and recalled that the party had gained a significant advantage in Thiruvananthapuram city during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well.
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“I had identified this previously as a warning signal. There may have been flaws in conveying our message to the voters, and we could not implement significant changes in the last one-and-a-half years, resulting in continued support for the BJP,” he remarked.
Tharoor expressed that after 45 years of LDF governance, the populace was eager for change, and he had hoped for leadership under former MLA K S Sabarinathan to take charge. “However, the people opted for another party. The necessity for change must be recognized,” he asserted.
He also noted that voter participation in the local body elections was higher than in previous contests, attributable to public dissatisfaction with the corporation’s performance.
In response to CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam’s comment that he was “half BJP,” Tharoor said he had frequently encountered similar accusations. “People lack the patience to read my writings or social media posts. They form judgments solely based on headlines. If they truly engaged with my work, they would understand that such criticisms are unfounded,” he stated.
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